Michael Edward “Ed” O’Connell

Michael Edward “Ed” O’Connell, age 69, of Escanaba, passed away at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Appleton, WI, on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 following a brief illness.

Mike was born October 10, 1953 in Chicago, IL, the son of Harold “Spike” and Mary (Berglund) O’Connell. Before graduating high school, Mike enlisted in the army and served from 1971 to 1973. He was stationed in Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri, and deployed to Korea. He was honorably discharged and returned to Escanaba. Mike finished requirements to earn his GED and then attended Bay College. Mike was a very intelligent man with many skills and talents and held a variety of jobs. Mike’s favorite job was being a CNA as it captured his true love of helping people.

Mike had a heart so big he wanted nothing more than to help everyone. Besides his passion for helping people, Mike loved everything to do with music. Anytime you walked into his house he would pick up his guitar and play you a song. He loved jamming with his son and sister and even taught his kids to play. Mike had difficult seasons in his life but always was a man of great faith. Throughout all seasons in his life, people were drawn to him because of his sense of humor – he was always joking and teasing.

Mike is survived by his children, Janice O’Connell, Tricia Jasmine, Branden Jahsman, Christopher (Emily) O’Connell, and Michelle (Christopher) Grawitch, grandchildren Emma, McKensie, Elisha, Niko, William, and Milo, sisters Cindy (Bruce) Collins and Cheryl (Steve) Corden, special friends Tonia, Sue, and his forever friends Mark Kaminski and Ray Porath, along with his BayView rat friends Jeff, Hogan, and John, and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 2 PM to 4 PM at Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Rites led by the Gladstone American Legion Post 71 will follow visitation at 4 PM. Immediately following Military Rites there will be a funeral service honoring Michael officiated by Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski.