Kevin M. Cavanaugh, age 71, of Bunkerhill Township, Leslie, Michigan, passed away on April 23, 2026. He was born on February 4, 1955, in Mason, Michigan, to Austin and Helen (Kelley) Cavanaugh.
Kevin was a lifelong resident of Bunkerhill Township, where his family’s farming roots date back to 1859. A proud dairy and crop farmer, he was born into the farming life and loved it deeply. In 1976, he took over the family farm, continuing a legacy built through generations. He milked dairy cattle until 2013 and continued planting crops up until this spring.
In addition to farming, Kevin dedicated 26 years of service to the State of Michigan as a corrections officer in Jackson. He was known as a hardworking and dependable man who cared deeply for his family. Kevin was a strong and faithful member of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church. His faith was an important and steady part of his life. A quiet and private man, Kevin was kind at heart and deeply devoted to his family. He loved his children and proudly raised them to know how to care for the farm.
Kevin had a deep love for the outdoors. He enjoyed deer hunting and proudly harvested three deer last fall from a new blind built by good friends, Mike and Earl Sykes. He especially loved his John Deere 3020 tractor, winning a tractor pull with it years ago and continuing to use it in his daily work on the farm. He found great joy in the woods, planting trees with his children and grandchildren and sharing with them the land he loved so much. Kevin will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, his quiet strength, his devotion to his faith and family, and his lifelong commitment to farming. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Mary (Elsey) Cavanaugh; his children, Carrie Zeitz of Dansville, Jeremiah “Jay” (Swanna) Cavanaugh of Bunkerhill, and Sarah (Dan) Minnis of Dansville; and his step-children, Nancy (Jonathon) Gallinger of Virginia, John Paul (Danielle) Burns of Commerce, and Jeff (Jennifer) Burns of Hartland. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, his sisters, Peggy Eppinger of Grand Blanc and Collen Eukel of North Dakota; and his sister-in-law, Donna Cavanaugh of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Maureen Cavanaugh; his brother, Patrick Cavanaugh; and two brothers-in-law, James Eppinger and Ken Eukel, and step-son, Michael Burns.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also be at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Mass will be held at Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Kusi Cobona officiating. Burial will follow at Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Health Care International with donations directed to the Howell, MI location, Solonus Casey Center in Detroit, MI, or Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Catholic Church.
Arrangements made by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
