May 3, 1930 - July 2, 2018

George Michel, age 88, of Shell Lake passed away on July 2, 2018 at Glenview Assisted Living. 

George was born in Spooner, WI on May 30, 1930, son of Adolf and Teresa Michel, farmers in Mackey Valley, Stone Lake, WI.

George is survived by two sisters Marion (Honer) and Kathleen (Jack) and two brothers Larry (Helen), Eugene, and Richard (Elaine).  He is also survived by seven children Gregory (Cindy), Douglas (Sheri),  Karen, Gary, Karla, Paul and Trish, and two step-children Janet (Dale) and John (Tammy).  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

George is preceded in death by his parents, wife Jo, brother Eugene, a baby sister Joan, daughter Julie and son Kevin.

George attended the Mackey Valley Grade School and graduated from Spooner High School in 1948.

In 1951 George enlisted in the Air Force, spending four years as an air craft mechanic, working on large C-97 transport planes.  During that time, in 1952, George and Jo Ann DeKramer, from Hayward, WI married.  George was discharged in 1955 and he and Jo returned to Wisconsin.  In 1956 he joined IBM and moved to Fargo, ND, working as an IBM technician for five years.  In 1961 he advanced to a management position with IBM in Sioux Falls, SD.  While in Sioux Falls George was active in the Police Reserves.  George was an avid hunter, a gun advocate and a patron member of the NRA.  George retired early due to Jo’s health in May 1985.  She died in 1986 from complications of kidney failure.  George moved back to Wisconsin in 1988.  George was married for a time to Barbara Gaynor.  George bought a place on Dunn Lake, north of Spooner, WI and enjoyed his retirement on the lake, with his large lawn and garden to keep himself busy and healthy.

George discovered a friend, Irene Kinnear, from grade school and made contact with her that turned into marriage.  They married in January of 1995 and continued to enjoy Dunn Lake.  They began traveling with a motor home to Florida, Texas, and California and anywhere in between.  In 2011 they moved into a duplex in Spooner, WI and continued to enjoy the outdoors on the Yellow River.
To all his friends and family, George would like to say – I HAD A GOOD LIFE!!!

In lieu of flowers please direct memorial to the National Rifle Association (NRA), the National Kidney Foundation, St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Regional Hospice, or Glenview Assisted Living.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:45 pm CST