Grandpa Michael

LEROY — Richard Dale Michael, 88, a World War II Navy veteran and lifelong LeRoy resident,passed away Wednesday (Nov. 27, 2013) at LeRoy Manor, LeRoy.

A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, LeRoy. The Rev. Mary Louise Haxton and Steve Myers will officiate. Inurnment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, LeRoy, with military rites accorded. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to LeRoy First United Methodist Church or Ruel Neal American Legion Post 79, LeRoy.
Richard “Dick” was born July 5, 1925, the son of Otis and Violet Crichton Michael. He attended LeRoy schools and Illinois Wesleyan University.
After joining the Navy, Dick served aboard the destroyer USS Aaron Ward. On May 3, 1945, the Aaron Ward survived an attack by a dozen Japanese kamikaze planes in the East China Sea. There were numerous casualties. After the attack, 19-year-old, “Mike” had the difficult task of announcing names of those missing and presumed dead among his beloved shipmates. The book “Brave Ship, Brave Men” by Arnold S. Lott chronicles the heroic battle. The crew of the Aaron Ward received a Navy Commendation and a Presidential Unit Citation. A plaque honoring Richard is at the Mount Soledad Veteran’s Memorial overlooking the Pacific in La Jolla, Calif.
Sixty-four years ago on Aug. 14, 1949, Dick married Pat Van Deventer Michael in Bloomington. She survives, as well as their two daughters, Peggy (Larry) Golden, LeRoy, and Alice (Mark) Evans, San Diego, Calif. There are four grandchildren, Michael (Stacy) Golden, Matt (Amy) Golden, Ashleigh (Lance) Sorenson and Whitney Evans, and five great-grandchildren, Quinn Golden, Joslyn Golden and Malakai, Rori and Zuri Sorenson. Richard’s parents and three sisters preceded him in death.
Dick worked as LeRoy postmaster for 27 years and later was vice president at LeRoy State Bank and LeRoy Savings and Loan. He also sold real estate. Dick was a member of LeRoy First United Methodist Church and served many years as trustee on the JT and EJ Crumbaugh estate board. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in his adopted state of Florida. Besides his love of traveling throughout the U.S. for Aaron Ward reunions and overseas on vacation, Dick was an avid reader of historical books.

Dick was known for his quick wit and gift of telling a great story! He was devoted to his family and will be missed beyond measure.

 

My Grandpa Michael passed away on November 27, 2013.  My parents and Whitney had just arrived in Salt Lake the night before after driving all the way from San Diego in one day.  It was so sad for all of us, but I think in a way it was a blessing to be together.  Grandpa's health had a major decline in the last few months so the one positive was knowing that he was no longer suffering.  I have great memories with my grandpa.  He lived an incredible life and was very proud of his family.  Every time we spoke he would tell me how special I was to him which is something I will always carry with me.  The kids and I flew to IL on a Friday to attend his visitation and funeral services.  I am very grateful that the kids behaved so well, that we made our flight change due to the weather cooperating, and that we were able to visit with so many people that love my family.  I've written before about the magic I feel in this small town both my parents grew up in in Illinois.  There are so many memories and defining moments in the history of my family in this place that most people will never pass through.  It was nice getting to speak with people at the visitation and funeral that played such a large roll in the upbringing and friendships of my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  The procession to the cemetery was very touching to me.  The whole town stopped as we field along passing so many of the significant landmarks of my memories of my grandpa.  It was a cold December day but the sun came out and the sky was a beautiful dark blue.  The military rites were beautiful and something I know grandpa would have loved.  I am especially grateful that my kids were able to get to know my grandpa.  We are going to miss him very much!