Murrel, Kenneth Michael "Mike", Delton, MI. Our beloved brother, cousin, uncle, step-father, Navy buddy, colleague, and friend, Kenneth Michael Murrel, 71, passed from this life the evening of March 13, 2016 at his home in Delton, Michigan. Mike was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 21, 1944, the fourth child of William and Eva (VerSnyder) Murrel, and lived in Saline, Michigan, until the end of World War II. In 1945, following the end of the war, Mike's parents moved the family "Up North" to Bingham, MI, across the lake from Eva's farm home on Lake Leelanau. In 1946, the family moved to a farm near Suttons Bay, MI and lived there for five years. Mike grew up on this farm and entered school in Suttons Bay, riding the bus for five miles each day to and from Suttons Bay with his brothers, Bob and Tom, and sister, Jane. Sister Judy arrived on this earth on June 15, 1946. Mike was a man for all seasons, easy to be with, possessing a dry sense of humor, strong intellect, love of life, unabashed curiosity, and a friendly, but shy, personality. He was very much loved by his family and friends and was held in high esteem by his colleagues both at work and in the Navy. He married the love of his life, Betty, in November, 1990, and settled in Delton, MI, where they lived their entire married life. Betty passed away in November, 2014, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Mike was her devoted caregiver and saw to it that Betty's needs were met with grace, love and kindness. Mike and Betty shared many passions in their life together, particularly a love for animals. Their dog, Tilly, was Mike's constant companion after Betty's passing. Neighbors enjoyed visiting with Mike and Tilly as they walked about the neighborhood for their daily exercise. Tilly was the last friend to be with Mike as he passed from this earth. Mike was an avid investor, always interested in learning more about the stock market, options trading, and other investment disciplines. He was a very savvy and successful investor. Mike was also very knowledgeable about computer technology and skilled in trouble-shooting and maintaining instrumentation equipment. He was employed for many years by Upjohn and Pfizer pharmaceutical companies, and proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1969. Mike is survived by his two brothers, Robert Murrel of Newport Beach, CA, and Thomas Murrel of San Jose, CA, his sister, Judy Murrel of Ann Arbor, MI, his step-daughter, Jill Sterling of Hudson, WI, his niece, Susan Fujii of Mountain View, CA, and many additional beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, his beloved wife, Betty and his sister, Jane Murrel Redfern. Mike left us far too early and will be deeply missed by all. A celebration of life will be conducted Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Williams-Gores Funeral Home, 133 E. Orchard St., Delton, MI. Visitation will be at noon and the memorial service will begin at 1:00 PM. An additional celebration of life and burial will be held in Lake Leelanau, MI, in July (details TBD), following interment at St. Mary's Cemetery in Lake Leelanau, MI, next to his parents, William and Eva Murrel.
Source: www.williamsgoresfuneral.com