Obituary for Michael J. Willis
Michael J. Willis, 62, of Iron River, Mich., passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at U P Health Marquette in Marquette, Mich., with his family and friends at his side.
Michael was born on March 31, 1960, in Stambaugh, Mich., to the late Robert and Mary Ann (Trepanier) Willis.
Michael grew up in Bates Township and received his GED from West Iron High School in 1979. He married Lorna Odlund on March 14, 2009, at their home in Iron River.
He was the BEST International Harvester tractor mechanic around but fixed all kinds of tractors. He would grumble when a ford or case would come in but fix it anyway. He was a millwright for Pine River lumber for 18 years. He branched out on his own as a logger, excavator and worked the farm, raising Black Angus cattle. He also worked in Bates Township for several years. There was no end to the projects he had, especially when he said, “It will only take about an hour,” 4 or 5 hours later. The garage was always filled with welding projects, repairs, and the like. His favorite place to be was walking up to a tree with his Stihl saw (had to be a Stihl), eyeing it up, planning the landing, and then cutting it down, or out on the dozer making roads, or in the processor cutting trees. He could pick your teeth with the backhoe bucket as an excavator. He was a phenomenal welder. I watched him eyeball a plow frame build, cut, and weld, and it fit the truck! His winter project was to completely do a repaint/restore on an 806 IH Farmall. His life was cut short, but his legacy will live on. We are even going to miss his stubbornness, snappy language, and yelling. But we can remember him for his Mike stories, such as: “Bobby’s camp is so far up in the woods they have to pump daylight in.”
Michael is survived by his loving wife of thirteen years, Lorna (Odlund) Willis; sons, Mark (Shannon) Willis, Matthew Willis, and Tommy (Jaylynne Grossnickle) Willis; stepson, Michael (Gail) Brzoznowski; stepdaughters, Mindy Levinson and Angela (Mike) Schindler; brothers, Robert (Sandy) Willis and Lou (Ann) Willis; grandchildren, Aubrey Willis, Sierra Willis, Mason Schindler, Anna Schindler, Cecilia Schindler, Amelia Luquis, Brandon Levinson, Eli Brzoznowski, Lorelai Brzoznowski, and Lydia Brzoznowski; niece, Kathy; nephews, Peter, Ken, and Donald; and numerous special friends and family who were with him through thick and thin. He is also survived by his two special dogs, Dozer and Sisu, and Mini Cooper, Sassy, and Marcia, the mini donkeys.
In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his son, Michael Willis, Jr.; stepson-in-law, Ronald Levinson; and granddaughter, Adelina Brzoznowski.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be announced at a later date.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Michael’s family at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crystal Falls, Mich., to honor Michael’s legacy of life.
Michael was born on March 31, 1960, in Stambaugh, Mich., to the late Robert and Mary Ann (Trepanier) Willis.
Michael grew up in Bates Township and received his GED from West Iron High School in 1979. He married Lorna Odlund on March 14, 2009, at their home in Iron River.
He was the BEST International Harvester tractor mechanic around but fixed all kinds of tractors. He would grumble when a ford or case would come in but fix it anyway. He was a millwright for Pine River lumber for 18 years. He branched out on his own as a logger, excavator and worked the farm, raising Black Angus cattle. He also worked in Bates Township for several years. There was no end to the projects he had, especially when he said, “It will only take about an hour,” 4 or 5 hours later. The garage was always filled with welding projects, repairs, and the like. His favorite place to be was walking up to a tree with his Stihl saw (had to be a Stihl), eyeing it up, planning the landing, and then cutting it down, or out on the dozer making roads, or in the processor cutting trees. He could pick your teeth with the backhoe bucket as an excavator. He was a phenomenal welder. I watched him eyeball a plow frame build, cut, and weld, and it fit the truck! His winter project was to completely do a repaint/restore on an 806 IH Farmall. His life was cut short, but his legacy will live on. We are even going to miss his stubbornness, snappy language, and yelling. But we can remember him for his Mike stories, such as: “Bobby’s camp is so far up in the woods they have to pump daylight in.”
Michael is survived by his loving wife of thirteen years, Lorna (Odlund) Willis; sons, Mark (Shannon) Willis, Matthew Willis, and Tommy (Jaylynne Grossnickle) Willis; stepson, Michael (Gail) Brzoznowski; stepdaughters, Mindy Levinson and Angela (Mike) Schindler; brothers, Robert (Sandy) Willis and Lou (Ann) Willis; grandchildren, Aubrey Willis, Sierra Willis, Mason Schindler, Anna Schindler, Cecilia Schindler, Amelia Luquis, Brandon Levinson, Eli Brzoznowski, Lorelai Brzoznowski, and Lydia Brzoznowski; niece, Kathy; nephews, Peter, Ken, and Donald; and numerous special friends and family who were with him through thick and thin. He is also survived by his two special dogs, Dozer and Sisu, and Mini Cooper, Sassy, and Marcia, the mini donkeys.
In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his son, Michael Willis, Jr.; stepson-in-law, Ronald Levinson; and granddaughter, Adelina Brzoznowski.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be announced at a later date.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Michael’s family at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crystal Falls, Mich., to honor Michael’s legacy of life.