Michael Bryan Winchester, age 27, of Rockford, MI, formerly of Gladstone, MI died unexpectedly Wednesday, August 8, 2007. Michael was born in Escanaba, MI on October 19, 1979 to Gary and Kathy (Pinar) Winchester of Gladstone. Michael graduated from Gladstone High School in 1998 and Lake Superior State in 2002 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He played hockey for 11 years and his last 4 years for the Escanaba Hockey team. He was employed at East Grand Rapids Public Safety since July 2002 and received many awards. Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman and he loved the outdoors. He was a kind and loving person to his family and friends and will be greatly missed. He has touched our lives in many positive ways and we are all better for having known and loved him.
Including his parents, Michael is survived by:
His sister: Michelle (Scott) Freel of Gladstone, MI
His grandparents: Nicholas Pinar of Wells, MI and Earl and Mary Winchester of Gladstone, MI.
His girlfriend: Heidi Blodgett of Holly, MI
And of course his best furry friend, Mazzie.
Mike has many Aunts, Uncles and cousins and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother Mary Pinar, great grandmother Elodie DeCook and uncle Harold Winchester.
Michael
Anonymous
Dear Winchester Family,
As a former teacher of both Mike and Michelle, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy. You have raised wonderful children and can be proud of the adults they have become. I understand your grief and share in your sorrow. May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Sincerely,
Susan Beranek
Gladstone, MI
You have our deepest sympathy, with the loss of your son, Sincerely,
Jim & Sue Raredon
Wetmore, MI
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Winchester Family and his family at EGRDPS. My husband worked with Mike for about 1 1/2 years and was one of his training officers at EGR. Mike was an outstanding officer and he and my husband remained very close friends even after he left the department in 2003. I did not know Mike as well as he did but I had the privilege of meeting him several times at group gatherings. He was so much fun to be around and always put a smile on your face. Please know what a wonderful family Mike had with his co-workers and how special that bond is between them. Our hearts are heavy now that he has past. God Bless you, your family and friends. We will truly miss him.
Leigh & Kyle Breischaft
Raleigh, NC
Your in our thoughts… and will be missed greatly.
Gina – City of East Friend
Wyoming, MI
So sorry for your loss. We are keeping your family in our prayers.
Jim & Tina Gudwer
Perkins, MI
I remember Mike well from school. My sincerest condolances to the Winchester family.
Jake Nyquist
Gladstone, MI
My thoughts are with Michele and family. After such a traggic loss, it is important to celebrate the man he was.
Shelley Ovink
Ishpeming, MI
My sincere condolences go out to Mike’s family. He was a great individual and will be sadly missed by many.
Tony Crisp, LSSU 2001
Roseville, MI
After hearing the news about Mike, I immediately remembered one photograph of he and I. It was over twenty years ago after our Kindergarten graduation. I went to my old photos and looked it up. It was then that I realized that there were tons of photos of me and Mike. I realized how much a part of my life he was. I also regret not staying in better contact with him recently. Mike was always a blast to be with and I can’t remember one negative memory about him. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had him in my life. His easy going attitude and eagerness to always help a friend was always refreshing.
Mike,
May God bless you. You were loved and will be missed greatly.
Dan Chenier
Kalamazoo, MI
I didn’t know Mike well but I remember him from school… always a quiet guy. We graduated the same year from Gladstone. I’m very sorry for your loss. I hope that peace may find you and bless you.
Sara (Cervantes) Walters
Ferndale, MI
Gary & Kathy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mike was such a special person, always down to earth with such a great outlook on life. He was Dan’s first true friend from Flat Rock School. We enjoyed many occasions with Mike, and remember him fondly.
Dale & Wanda Chenier
Gladstone, MI
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary and Dick VandeWiele
Winter Garden, FL
Dear Winchester Family,
Your son and brother, Mike, will be greatly missed here in East Grand Rapids. He was always kind and friendly. He made some of our block parties representing the East Force and made our children feel happy and safe in our town. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Glade and Joel Lathrop
East Grand Rapids, MI
I graduated with Mike from GHS. I remember him to be somewhat quiet but always kind and treated everyone equally. What a terrible loss to his family and society. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and Heidi. May you always feel the presence of your new Angel.
Nicole (Brown) Flournoy
Gwinn, MI
I do not know your family. But my prayers have been with all of you and Michaels’ friends and co-workers through this terrible time. I will continue to pray for strength and guidance for all of you.
Becky Berens
Greenville, MI
Mike will be missed by lots. I know that we in dispatch will miss him. He would always stop in and check in on us from time to time. He was a very caring person. My prayers go out to his family and his fellow officers at EGR, and his friends.
Jen Twyman
Rockford, MI
My husband Clayton and I went to school with Mike and heard about your loss from a friend of ours! We just wanted to send our condolences to mike’s family and let you know that the mike we knew was a great guy and we are glad to have known him. We are sorry for your loss!
Clayton and Jessica Castor
Gladstone, MI
Mike,
It was a great honor to meet such a great person and a caring officer. It was nice to have you stop into dispatch and chat with the dispatchers at Kent County. You will be missed
Shawn
Cedar Springs, MI
It will be the little things that you will remember, the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter. And although it may seem hard right now, it will be the memories of these little things that help to push away the pain and bring the smiles back again. With Loving Memories..
Dirk Holmberg, Kent County 911 Dispatch
Grand Rapids, MI
Dear Winchester Family, We are so very sorry to hear about the Loss of Mike he was a great guy, he was on my baseball team when i was about 11 years old. We always had a lot of fun together he will be missed!!!!!
Patrick Pierron
Gladstone, MI
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Gareau Family
Gladstone, MI
Dear Kathy and Gary,
With a heart full of sorrow, we send our deepest sympathy, prayers and love. It is so hard to know what to say at a time like this but as long as Mike is loved in your heart, he is always with you.
God bless you and your families.
Carol ‘Majestic’ & Dave Collegnon
Escanaba, MI
On behalf of the 63rd District Court Staff, we send our deepest sympathy to the Winchester family. It was our privilege to work with Michael in his capacity with the Public Safety Department of East Grand Rapids. Please know your family is in our prayers. Chief Judge Sara J. Smolenski and the entire staff of the 63rd District Court.
Judge Sara J. Smolenski
Grand Rapids, MI
Kathy & Gary,
My deepest condolences to you and your family at this time. I’m sure Michael was a total joy in your life. My heart aches to think of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kay Nelson
Marinette, WI
Gary and Kathy… We cannot imagine what you are going through but our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Dennis and Lu Naylor
Gladstone, MI
Dear Michelle and family,
I have lost a spouse and parents, but not yet a sibling. The relationship we have our siblings is a special one and I know you and Michael had that special connection. We have to hang on to the memories and know there is a reason for the unexplainable. I like to share the quote that a 4th grade teacher shared from one of his students. “There are some things in life I don’t understand, But there are things in life that God doesn’t expect me to understand.” An untimely death is one of those things I don’t think we will ever understand. You and your family are in my prayers.
Louise Wilcox RN, Pathways
Marquette, MI
To our friends, Babe and Mary Winchester, and their family… We send our love and prayers for all of you to be held in the protectives arms of God. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts remain with you during this time of pain and sorrow.
Larry and Betty King
South Haven, MI
Gary, Kathy and family–We are so sorry for your loss. Michael was such a kind-hearted, caring and special person. We truly are blessed for having known him. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Leslie and Eric Nault
Gladstone, MI
Gary and your family are in my prayers.
Keith Whitman
Escanaba, MI
Mike it has been a pleasure to know you and work with you the past 5 years. Our fishing trip that we had plans to make will have to wait until we meet once again in the higher up location. I know that you are keeping watch over us (downhere)now.I am looking forward to seeing you once again when we meet and complete the plans for fishing in that future location. I love you Brother.
Marty Dorris
East Grand Rapids, MI