Laurence “Mike” Esler, age 93, of Gladstone passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 at the Christian Park Village in Escanaba surrounded by his family.
Mike was born November 29, 1928 in Gladstone, the son of Eugene and Esther (Smith) Esler. He was raised in Gladstone and graduated from the Gladstone High School in 1948. He served his country proudly in the US Air Force from 1949 to 1953. On June 27, 1953, Mike was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Roberts in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church in Gladstone, Rapid River American Legion Post 301 and retired from the Mead Paper Company after working there for 35 years. He was an avid Green Bay Packer and Brett Favre fan and enjoyed watching Westerns, growing tomatoes and spending time with his dogs.
Mike is survived by his children, Karen (Jeff) Donovan of Gladstone and Larry (Cathy Conroy) Esler of Rapid River; grandchildren, Jeff (Janelle) Donovan Jr. and Angela (Bryan) Brunette and great grandchildren, Kiera and Kallie Donovan and Brock and Bella Brunette.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and his parents.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 24 from 2:00 to 3:45 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Honors will be presented by the Rapid River Amercian Legion Post 301 at 3:45 PM. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 PM with Pastor Cathy Rafferty officiating. Mike will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Delta County Animal Shelter.
Phil/Virginia Petersen - Gladstone, MI
Dear Esler family,
Many great conversations were had around the kitchen table and going in and out of church. He sure was proud of you kids and the grandkids. I can still see him shaking his head when your Mom would go on the the famous girl’s shopping trips and he would say what is there left to buy? He always appreciated me stopping to talk about the “old” days and giving him an opportunity to tell you what was on his mind. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. He and Dorothy are now back together. Sympathies to all.
Tom and Jessie Seronko - Gladstone, Mi
To all the family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all! We will miss him and his many stories, as he had such a great mind for details, and a certain nack for telling them! Our deepest sympathy to you all.
Jr and Mille Donovan - Coldwater , Oh
What a sweetheart. He was always good for a good laugh. Jr would come home from his fishing trip with stories about Mike. Was just laughing about his labeling his things. Time to spend eternity with Dot.
Gary Lehman - Escanaba, MI
My sympathy goes out to all of Mike’s family and friends. I met Mike while working at the Paper Mill. All I have to say is our world lost a wonderful human being. If there were more people like Mike we wouldn’t be having all the hatred we have in our world. Rest in Peace Mike!
Sherry Bertram - Brimley , Mi
Karen, Larry and family. We were sorry to hear about Mike and yet it made me smile (Sherry) thinking of the times your parents would visit the cabin and Mike would walk his wee little dog. I put cards in the mail to both of you but I’m not sure I used the most current address from Google. If they don’t reach you, know you’re in our thoughts and my prayers. Love, Vern and Sherry Bertram