Michael Jesse “Miko” Stemac, age 45, of Gladstone passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 as the result of a tragic accident while cutting a partially fallen oak tree.
Michael was born September 26, 1979 to Robert and Cindy (LaLonde) Stemac. He graduated from Gladstone High School.
Michael worked through Lakestate Industries doing several jobs in the wood-shop, at the mall and the meat room at the Gladstone Super Valu.
At a young age Michael took great interest in going into the woods with his dad where they built a small camp and spent much quality time together hunting, playing games and cutting and splitting wood, which turned out to be a big hobby of Michael’s where he took great pride in maintaining his wood yard.
Another passion was sports. Michael would cheer on his cousins, Ginger (Weber) Moore and Brianne (Weber) Helmila as they played basketball for NMU. He also enjoyed NMU hockey where Michael got to know players from Canada and after some games got to go in the locker room to enjoy pizza and pop and share in the winning atmosphere.
Then there was the American Legion baseball, going to several games downstate and in the Copper Country, but the favorite place to go was the Soo, especially winning the Zone Tournament. Michael always enjoyed playing catch in between innings.
Michael was also a big fan of Tom Brady “the Michigan Boy” as him and his grandpa, Red would say, as they were both big Michigan Wolverine fans. He also cheered for the Milwaukee Brewers, NASCAR “7 time champion” Jimmie Johnson, and the Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby.
He enjoyed playing many games on his Sony PlayStation 5 and had a blast last summer with Gavin Moore on the jet ski and was looking forward to it again this summer.
Michael’s greatest time of the year was “Camping Season”. He looked forward to going to Fuller Park each and every year and being with “Summer Family” and helping out with anything he could. He loved being at the Park and enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheeling and listening to Carrie Underwood, Kelsey, Ballerini and Lainey Wilson. He also like dogs, but his mom said no to having real dogs so he had two large stuffed dogs named Mitty Girl and Penny Girl.
Michael is survived by his loving mother, Cindy (LaLonde) Stemac , grandmother Alberta (Abie) LaLonde, half sister Amy (Pat) Kemink, very special aunt and uncle Debbie (Mark) Weber, uncle Doug (Sue) LaLonde, aunt Judy Miller, and aunt Sharon Wickman, cousins Ginger (Chris) Moore, Brianne (Walley) Helmila, Kelly (Ryan) Jahner, Rachel (Michael) Johns, Erica (Joseph) Skellenger, Nikki (Josh) Martin, Bart Miller, Jill Miller and Dawn Wickman. Special friends, Dave and Kristin Stevens, Kristy and Tom, McEvoy and their dog Bear, Cassie and Elia Lanaville, Alex Lambert, Jake Nyquist, Tina and Jeremy Aalto, Al and Kathleen Nault and Frank and Sharon Sinnaeve Also his “Summer Camping Family” Steve Wery, Stacy and Mike Sands, Roger and Mary Jo Mikkola, Wendy and Bob Fuller, Becky and Todd Dubord, Marie and Pete DaHaan and Karen.
Michael was preceed in death by his father, Robert “Bubba” Stemac, an infant brother, grandfather James “Red”LaLonde, grandfather and grandmother, Michael and Nora, Stemac, uncle Michael J, Stemac, and good friend Patrick Nault.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 25 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5:30 PM at All Saints Catholic Church with Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Michael will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.
John Erdody - Gladstone, MI
Cindy and family,
My deepest condolences to you for the loss of Mike. Mike had become part of my summer ritual for the past several years as he delivered firewood for me. I always enjoyed catching up with him and chatting over what we had both been up to. He was a hard worker, and I am grateful for the many times he helped me out. God’s peace to you at this time.
Jake Nyquist - Gladstone, MI
My condolences to Cindy. Many good memories of Miko, his Dad, and Grandpa.
Becky Dubord - Escanaba MI, MI
No words can express how we feel. Mike lived the life he loved. You and your family are so much in our prayers. Me and Todd were so grateful to get to know you and Mike.
Donna Folcik - Rapid River, MI
Our thoughts are with you, Cindy. So sorry to hear about Michael’s passing. Gene and I enjoyed visiting with him when he was in the woods doing what he seemed to love. We’re praying for your comfort.
Donna and Gene
Jackie Mott - Orange Park, FL
Rest in Peace. Michael.
Nancy Monroe - Gladstone, Mi
So sorry to hear about Michael, Cindy. My heart is heavy as Mike was a kind hearted guy. Hugs and prayers to you and know we are thinking of you during this time. We will keep you in our prayers.
Jeremy and Tina Aalto and Family - Gladstone , MI
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. We have so many good memories of times with Mike. He will be greatly missed.
aron carrier - Escanaba, Mi
he was a sweet loving boyfriend we got along great i will miss and love him always i am heartbroken and i hope his mom is doing ok.
Teresa Ettenhofer - Gladstone, MI
So sorry. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Richard J DeGrand - Ann Arbor, MI
So very sorry to learn of Michael’s tragic accident. Deepest sympathy to Cindy and all of Mike’s friends and family.
I was a close friend and former football teammate of Bubba and still have great memories of our HS football years.
May Michael Rest in Peace.
Dick DeGrand