Michael
Michael H. Herbert
Mike passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021, with his family by his side at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.
He was born January 17, 1947 in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Joyce (Wilcox) Herbert. Mike graduated from Plainwell High School in 1965 and from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in biology. While finishing school, Mike worked at Simpson Paper Company as a chemist until 1997. He also worked at Crown Vantage Paper, Global Technologies and retired from Wilson Air in 2006.
Lovingly known as “Papa Mike” he was a man who saw the best in everyone and cherished his family above everything else. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling, reading, pistol target practice and going on cruises. On December 23, 1967, at the Plainwell Baptist Church he married his high school sweetheart, Kaye Mills who survives.
Also surviving are his daughters, Nichole (Kevin) Heil and Andrea (Shawn) Maxwell and 9 grandchildren, Lucas, Isabela, Annabella, Saree, Madeline, Owen, Olivia, Ian and Elizabeth.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Mike’s family starting at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 27, 2021 at St. Michael Lutheran Church on Oakland Drive in Portage.
The funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M. A lunch will be served following the service.
Burial will take place at St. Margaret Cemetery in Otsego at a later time.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Mike may be made to St. Michael Lutheran School.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Michael H. Herbert
Condolence Messages
Paul Herbert
November 18, 2021 at 2:46 pm
Rip Cousin, thank you for your friendship and give everyone in heaven hugs from me
Reply
JoAnn Burchett
November 18, 2021 at 3:30 pm
Dear Kaye and family, My heart goes out to you all. Mike was a great guy and he will be missed by many. May God grant you all peace. Sincerely, JoAnn
Reply
Anne Flegal Kirby
November 18, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Kaye, I send sincere sympathy to you and your family. The last time I saw both of you was at Costco when we spoke of the possibility of combining your graduating class with mine.
I sure am sorry for this great loss. I have known him forever it seems.
Reply
Katherine Sage Ponce
November 18, 2021 at 8:31 pm
I am saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. He was my cousin. We were not close but he was always friendly towards me. He impressed me as a kind and gentle man. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Reply
Linda Pierce Cooley
November 18, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Kay, I am so sorry to hear about Mike. Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time and sending our condolences and prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Reply
Jane Wolfe
November 19, 2021 at 10:25 am
Kaye, I am so very sorry that Mike had such a devastating illness. He was such a kind and gentle person. I have happy memories of the two of you and of our time living at WMU married housing & then when our children were young., and exchanging news through the years. I know he was surrounded by love from you, your girls, and by the grandchildren that he cherished. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Reply
Herbert R Ayres
November 19, 2021 at 10:56 am
Kaye,
My sympathies to you and the family. Mike was a great guy with a uplifting spirit. I hope your memories will carry you through this sad time.
Sincereley,
Herb Ayres
Reply
Marilyn Root Anderson
November 19, 2021 at 11:13 am
Kaye and family, I am so sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. You two have been together for so long and have shared so many happy and blessed memories together to keep in your heart. Mike was one of the good guys and he will be missed and remembered by many. May you find comfort and peace during this most difficult time.
Reply
Dave Munn
November 20, 2021 at 1:38 pm
Kaye, I’m so sorry for your loss, but as believers we know where Mike is and that we’ll see each other again! Praise God for His resurrection plan! Nikki and Andrea, I’m praying for God’s blessings of healing and peace for your families! Don’t worry about anything, I’m available to help you with anything you need.
Reply
Céline
November 24, 2021 at 3:13 pm
Triste nouvelle. Je suis tellement désolée et touchée d’apprendre le décès de votre papa. Je me souviens d’une famille accueillante et bienveillante lors de mon séjour aux États Unis lorsque j’avais 9 ans .
Tout mon soutien le plus sincère à votre famille dans cette doubleuse épreuve.
Céline de France
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He was born January 17, 1947 in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Joyce (Wilcox) Herbert. Mike graduated from Plainwell High School in 1965 and from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in biology. While finishing school, Mike worked at Simpson Paper Company as a chemist until 1997. He also worked at Crown Vantage Paper, Global Technologies and retired from Wilson Air in 2006.
Lovingly known as “Papa Mike” he was a man who saw the best in everyone and cherished his family above everything else. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling, reading, pistol target practice and going on cruises. On December 23, 1967, at the Plainwell Baptist Church he married his high school sweetheart, Kaye Mills who survives.
Also surviving are his daughters, Nichole (Kevin) Heil and Andrea (Shawn) Maxwell and 9 grandchildren, Lucas, Isabela, Annabella, Saree, Madeline, Owen, Olivia, Ian and Elizabeth.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
According to his wishes cremation has taken place.
Friends may visit with Mike’s family starting at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 27, 2021 at St. Michael Lutheran Church on Oakland Drive in Portage.
The funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M. A lunch will be served following the service.
Burial will take place at St. Margaret Cemetery in Otsego at a later time.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Mike may be made to St. Michael Lutheran School.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Michael H. Herbert
Condolence Messages
Paul Herbert
November 18, 2021 at 2:46 pm
Rip Cousin, thank you for your friendship and give everyone in heaven hugs from me
Reply
JoAnn Burchett
November 18, 2021 at 3:30 pm
Dear Kaye and family, My heart goes out to you all. Mike was a great guy and he will be missed by many. May God grant you all peace. Sincerely, JoAnn
Reply
Anne Flegal Kirby
November 18, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Kaye, I send sincere sympathy to you and your family. The last time I saw both of you was at Costco when we spoke of the possibility of combining your graduating class with mine.
I sure am sorry for this great loss. I have known him forever it seems.
Reply
Katherine Sage Ponce
November 18, 2021 at 8:31 pm
I am saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. He was my cousin. We were not close but he was always friendly towards me. He impressed me as a kind and gentle man. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Reply
Linda Pierce Cooley
November 18, 2021 at 8:47 pm
Kay, I am so sorry to hear about Mike. Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time and sending our condolences and prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Reply
Jane Wolfe
November 19, 2021 at 10:25 am
Kaye, I am so very sorry that Mike had such a devastating illness. He was such a kind and gentle person. I have happy memories of the two of you and of our time living at WMU married housing & then when our children were young., and exchanging news through the years. I know he was surrounded by love from you, your girls, and by the grandchildren that he cherished. My deepest sympathy to you all.
Reply
Herbert R Ayres
November 19, 2021 at 10:56 am
Kaye,
My sympathies to you and the family. Mike was a great guy with a uplifting spirit. I hope your memories will carry you through this sad time.
Sincereley,
Herb Ayres
Reply
Marilyn Root Anderson
November 19, 2021 at 11:13 am
Kaye and family, I am so sorry to learn of Mike’s passing. You two have been together for so long and have shared so many happy and blessed memories together to keep in your heart. Mike was one of the good guys and he will be missed and remembered by many. May you find comfort and peace during this most difficult time.
Reply
Dave Munn
November 20, 2021 at 1:38 pm
Kaye, I’m so sorry for your loss, but as believers we know where Mike is and that we’ll see each other again! Praise God for His resurrection plan! Nikki and Andrea, I’m praying for God’s blessings of healing and peace for your families! Don’t worry about anything, I’m available to help you with anything you need.
Reply
Céline
November 24, 2021 at 3:13 pm
Triste nouvelle. Je suis tellement désolée et touchée d’apprendre le décès de votre papa. Je me souviens d’une famille accueillante et bienveillante lors de mon séjour aux États Unis lorsque j’avais 9 ans .
Tout mon soutien le plus sincère à votre famille dans cette doubleuse épreuve.
Céline de France
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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