Mike Habian

A man who lived a vibrant life, Mike Habian taught us through the choices he made that true happiness is not found in what we acquire, but in what we give to others. He deeply loved his family that expanded to include several branches on his family tree while taking his role as the provider in his family to heart. As his family and friends can attest, Mike was the life of the party wherever he went and never let the challenges he faced get him down. He could make us laugh with the best of them and was rarely one to be still for too long. A genuine blessing in the lives of those around him, Mike will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. The decade of the thirties brought us some of the most trying days our nation has ever seen due to the Great Depression that covered us like a wet blanket throughout the entire decade and beyond. Families struggled to make ends meet and with a devastating drought that gripped our nations heartland during the mid-thirties, the already crippled agricultural industry only deteriorated. Despite the circumstances around them, a bustling family from Harrietta, Michigan, was focused on an exciting time in their lives with the birth of a healthy baby boy into their hearts and home on January 21, 1936. Baby Mike was the seventh of eight children born to his parents, Anthony and Barbara (Tulick) Habian, and was joined in his family by his older siblings, Albert, George, John, Joe, Agnes, and Angie, and his younger sister, Barb. His father worked as a farmer while his mother was a homemaker. For the most part Mike was raised by his siblings as his mother was not very involved in his life, but he always knew he was loved. Although his formative years were a bit of a struggle, Mike learned to be both resilient and resourceful - skills that would serve him well throughout his entire life. By the time he was a teenager he was driving pulp wood trucks in order to help support his family. This was not the easiest work either as these trucks didnt have brakes at times! With a desire to serve his country Mike joined the Air Force in 1952, serving as a cook and military police throughout his four years of service. Once he was discharged in 1956 he continued to serve in the reserves through much of 1961. Not to be forgotten during his time in the military was Mikes introduction to the woman with whom he would establish the family he adored. Her name was Arlene Schultz, and they met at a dance during the fall of 1955 while he was home on leave. The couple quickly found themselves deeply in love and although they wanted to run away together and get married, Mike didnt think her parents would be too happy so they remained patient. When they later made the commitment to become husband and wife they had to wait for Mikes fathers approval since he was only 19 and considered a minor. With his fathers consent, Mike and Arlene were married on December 11, 1955. Together they were blessed with the births of four children: Vicki, Michael, Timothy, and Theresa. Life in the Habian family was usually a flurry of activity. Both Mike and Arlene enjoyed square dancing, and their children joined in the fun as part of the Maycroft Square Tappers, a traveling group that often performed in other states. The families who were involved in this group were all very close and often spent weekends together. There was also an unforgettable trip to Salt Lake City in 1974. It was understandably a bit stressful for Mike to drive on the winding mountain roads with no guard rails. Lil Elmer rode with him in the front seat to help him relax, and imagine the familys horror when they discovered that Tim was accidentally left at a gas station about 20 miles back at one point! On this same trip the girls went for a walk in the mountains and didnt return until dark, which was just moments before Mike was ready to head out with the search party he gathered. The Habians also had several close encounters with bears. As a father Mike was strict and had high expectations for his children, especially when it came to operating a moving machine as his temper sometimes surfaced when his children didnt get it just right. Mike also had fun living life alongside his children and greatly impacted their lives. Their family seemed to really enjoy watching scary movies together, and Mike was known for waiting until the climactic part of the storyline and then pelting his daughter with a pillow or something just to make her jump and scream. He also taught his children that there was always room for ice cream! One thing Mike was well known for was his strong work ethic. He was a great provider who earned a good living as a heavy equipment operator in the road construction industry. When he was at home Mike was always busy working on something, too, often in his garage. Although he finished his formal education after the eighth grade he learned almost everything about working on cars and trucks. There were plenty of nights that he didnt come in from the garage until after dark, but it became a bit more difficult for him to work on cars once they became more intricate. Mike also liked to garden and at one time had seven gardens that his children joked about having to weed. It was nice though because they always had plenty of vegetables to feed their family and their many animals including chickens, turkeys, pigs, and a pony. Mike was deeply saddened with Arlenes death in 1998. Although much of his time was spent with his family, Mikes life was also enriched through other interests. He loved spending time with his good friends, Herm Schultz, Charlie Benkert, and Bill McLean, and he was also a member of the American Legion. After retiring Mike enjoyed traveling and camping. In 2006 he married Roberta Boeschenstein, and together they loved both camping and traveling during Mikes sunset years. Through the life he lived each day Mike Habian inspires us to fully embrace each new day. He treasured the children and grandchildren who will carry on his legacy of hard work, playful fun, and unending love. Mike Habian died on Monday, March 12, 2012. Mikes family includes his wife, Roberta; children, Vicki (Kimbell) Towne, Michael (Carlene) Habian, Jr., Timothy Habian, Theresa (Don) Deering; grandchildren, Danielle, Timothy, Hunter, Austin, Sarah; one great grandchild on the way; stepchildren, Richard (Rosy) Hannaman, Douglas (Heather) Hannaman, Dianna (Michael) Sorensen. Mike was preceded in death by his first wife, Arlene. Services will be held on Friday, March 16, 2012, 11:00 a.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at St. Michaels Catholic Church of Coopersville with Fr. Norman Droski officiating. Interment at St. Michael's Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Arrangements provided by Clock Life Story - Fruitport.