Final Salute

John Albert Michelson, 87, of Lapeer, died Monday, March 2, 2020. John was born August 30, 1932 in Lansing, Michigan to Frederick and Mariann (Brook) Michelson. He married Gloria Mae Fattal in Corunna, Michigan on August 25, 1956.
John graduated from East Lansing High School in 1950. In 1951 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country for four years as a Seabee. He graduated from Oklahoma A & M with a degree in Fire Protection Engineering in 1957. During his life, John worked in many capacities as a fire protection engineer, owner of Michelson Agency Insurance and for State Mutual Insurance Company, where he retired in 1993. John also served as a volunteer fireman for Lapeer Fire Department for many years and was involved in instruction and training for the State of Michigan. After settling in Lapeer in 1964, John became active in the community serving on many boards as well as two terms as a Lapeer County Commissioner. John was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lapeer, serving as an elder and most notably as the “cookie man.” As an avid skier, John volunteered at Mt. Holly as a ranger for 10 years after retiring. John will be remembered for his patriotism, homespun wisdom, love of family, sweets, and antique fire trucks.
John was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roland, sisters Joanne (Michelson) Feurfile, Betty Michelson, and son Thomas Michelson. He is survived by his wife Gloria Michelson, daughters Patty (John) Barsalou and Carolyn(Michelson)Dougherty, daughter-in-law Laura (Dobson) Michelson, grandchildren Danielle Elizabeth, Luke, Hannah, Nathaniel, Savannah, Fiona, Olivia, Elsa, Noah and great-grandchildren Caleb, Hudson, Hadassah, and Lillian. John will be remembered fondly by them as helpful, humorous, and always willing to get up at midnight for train watching, snacking, and all things in between.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund or Residential Hospice Foundation.
Visitation is Friday, March 13th from 4 to 8 p.m. at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, 1021 S. Lapeer Rd., Lapeer.
The memorial ceremony will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Lapeer, Michigan, on Saturday, March 14th, 2020, at 11 a.m.

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