Gladstone, MI
Michael “Mike” DeFiore, age 79, of Gladstone passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at his home with his family by his side.
Mike was born March 8, 1935 in Racine, Wisconsin, the son of Michael and Elizabeth (Miller) DeFiore. Mike was raised in Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School. He was united in marriage to Betty Ann Lough for 62 years. Mike and Betty were married on November 29, 1952 at the St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Iron Mountain. Mike was employed by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan for 17years, owned the Gladstone Floral Company for 14 years and worked for the Wisconsin Central Railroad for 20 years. He was a member and served as President of the Gladstone Golf Club and a member of the Gladstone Lions Club. Mike loved spending time with his family and enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gardening and spending time at camp. He was also an avid Detroit Lions and Tigers fan. Mike had a good sense of humor and will be dearly missed by his family.
Mike is survived by his wife, Betty of Gladstone; three sons, Christopher (Renae) of Gladstone, John (Christine) of Kenosha, WI and Donald (Lori) of Roundlake Beach, IL; three daughters, Cynthia (Jerry) DeFiore-Stemick of Bark River, Connie (Chet) Wrobel of Pleasant Prairie, WI and Paula (Art) VanDamme of Naples, FL; 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; one sister, Lisa (Jim) Farrington of Sagola, MI and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Delores Pietrantonio and Jackie McNamee.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 22 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. A Prayer Service will be held at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. A luncheon will be served following the service in the All Saints Catholic Church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. www.jdrf.org
Jennifer Smith - Clinton Township, Mi
May the warm memories of this wonderful man ease your sorrows. Keeping you all in my prayers. AJ
Chad A Walker - Escanaba, Mi
Test Tribute
Jeanne Johnson/Dave Wescott
Dear Paula, Chris, and family,We were saddened to hear of your Dad’s passing. Please know you have been and will continue to be in prayers. We will remember with great fondness the wonderful gardens he planted every year and his generosity and kind smile. We will never forget the friendship between Doug and Mike and happiness it brought to our family.
Love,
Jeanne and Dave
Ginger LaRock - Iron River, Mi
Dear Betty and family Saw in the Daily News of your husband passing. I just want to tell you how sorry I am about this news.
Rusty, Mary, & Debi VanSipe - Gladstone, Mi. & Cocoa, fl
We are very saddened to hear of Mike’s passing, we have great memories of a lot of good times.
Cheryl Quinn Bray
Chris, Renae, Donald, John, Paula, Betty, and the entire family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved father and husband. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Mary LeMay (formerly Valencic), Nicole Valencic and fiance’, Bill and daughters’ Mariya and Zoey, Jeremy & wife, Kristina and son Jeremiah, daughter, Kylie Valencic
Duff and DeFiore family,So sorry to hear of the loss of your father, husband, (great)grandpa and uncle. Love to you all.
Brian Roy Olson - Lexington Park, MD
I was talking to my Dad and he told me Mr. DeFiore passed away, which was sad news to hear. I grew up with your family and although the years have separated us my thoughts and prayers are with you. I could carry on with memories, but would rather keep this simple and send my most sincere condolences.