John Calvin Michael, age 91, passed away on November 14, 2023 in Jackson MI. John was born on March 04, 1932 in Rivesville, West Virginia to Paul O. and Ruby E. (Linn) Michael.
After graduating from Rivesville High School in West Virginia, he joined the Air Force at age 19. He served from 1951 to 1955 and was stationed in Japan. John worked on C-36 cargo planes, specializing in electrical systems.
From the service John went on to college at Fairmont State for his degree in industrial arts. He later married Shirley Dawn Glover on September 1, 1956 and started his career as a Technical Illustrator. John had several positions with U.S. government contractors including Sperry Piedmont - Submarines in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bendix Aerospace in Ann Arbor Michigan, Northern Telecom also in Ann Arbor Michigan and Williams in Walled Lake Michigan.
John and Shirley started a family and had two children. Together they built their own home in Saline, Michigan. They were active in the Saline United Methodist Church.
John was an avid model airplane builder, often working from his own drawings - an Xacto knife and a ruler were the tools most favored for his precision designs. John was a handy guy and mechanically inclined. Much to all of our amazement - he could fix anything. John was a gardener, and a car enthusiast.
John is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Dawn (Glover) Michael, his two children Debra Lynn (Mark) Drow and Daniel Lee (Sandy) Michael. Grandchildren: Anna Herbert (Brandon) of Jackson, Michigan, Alaina Drow of Chelsea, Michigan, Austin Michael of West Palm, Florida, and Addison Michael of Jersey City, New Jersey. Great grandchildren: Zoey Lea Herbert and Dax Michael Herbert. John also is survived by his sister Ramona Shafer of Cary, North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his sister Janice Bondy of Rocky River, Ohio, and his beloved granddaughter Jillian Lea Drow of Chelsea, Michigan.
A gathering of friends and family will take place at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Sunday, November 19, 2023 from 2-4 p.m. A brief time of sharing will take place at 4p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jillian Lea Drow Fund via the Chelsea Education Foundation P.O. Box 281, Chelsea, MI 48118.
