Michael Jerome McLeod

Michael Jerome McLeod, age 80, of Hessel, Michigan, died July 31, 2019, at home. He was born November 2, 1938, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Lyle William McLeod and Margaret Mary (Mertaugh) McLeod. Mike lived in Hessel for most of his life. He attended Hessel Elementary School and then graduated from Les Cheneaux Community High School in Cedarville. Following school, he worked for U.S. Steel at the limestone quarry in Cedarville until he was inducted into the United States Army. He served in Fort Hood, Texas, and after completing his service in 1962, returned to Hessel and to his work at the limestone quarry as a heavy equipment operator. He married Marilyn Ruth Payne on April 26, 1991, and they made their home at his family homestead in Hessel. He retired from the quarry in 1990 but continued to work as a caretaker for summer cottage owners in the Cedarville and Hessel area. Mike was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Mike loved spending time outdoors and on the water - boating, fishing, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. He and Marilyn traveled often to the Chicago area to visit children and grandchildren. He loved to “putts” in his workshop “Old Man Land”. Mike was a wonderful storyteller and enjoyed sitting on the porch telling stories. Mike is survived by his wife, Marilyn McLeod of Hessel; daughter, Cynthia (Keith) Paloucek of Naperville, Illinois; sons, Joseph (Melissa) Burger of Lake Forest, Illinois, Robert (Joni) Burger of Cedarville, and Paul (Laura) Burger of Wheaton, Illinois; grandchildren, Drew Paloucek, Jack Paloucek, Ryan Burger, Derek Burger, Gordon Burger, Bennett Burger, and Elizabeth Burger; brother, Thomas McLeod of Cedarville; sisters, Adrienne Smith of Pickford, Michigan, Mary Ann Carr of Cedarville, Jane Hobbs of California, and Angela (Jack) Porco of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada; and sisters-in-law, Doris Payne of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, Beverly Gebben of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and Barbara Britton of Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William Patrick McLeod and Lyle Francis McLeod; and brothers-in-law, Jay Smith, Ernest Carr, Harvey Britton, Dwayne Gebben, Harold Atwill, and Clifford Payne. A private family service is being held. Interment will be in Edgewood Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville. Memorial contributions may be made to your local hospice organization or Wounded Warrior Project.

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Michael Jerome McLeod

November 2, 1938 - July 31, 2019