Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin, age 88, of Sand Point, died Friday evening, October 19, at his home after a long battle with health problems.
He was born February 26, 1919 in Bad Axe to the late Michael and Mabel (Patterson) Slavin.
On February 10, 1948, he was united in marriage to Shirley A. Helyer in Clifford. Shirley, whom he loved deeply was by his side for 33 years, until her death, December 12, 1981.
Mike was a World War II Army Signal Corp veteran, detached O.S.S. He served in both the European and Pacific Theaters (Italy and China).
Mike received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Degree with honors from the University of Detroit in 1948. He pioneered in the early days of radio and eventually did most of his engineering in automotive design. Mike retired from Bendix Corp of Baltimore, MD and Newport News, VA in 1975. He moved back to Michigan and started a second career as chief engineer of Lectron Products. He had many patents such as speed control systems and anti-skid control braking systems. From 1958 to 1993, Michael had more than 50 patents. At Lectron, he was considered an expert solenoid designer and fixer.
In retirement, he continued his hobbies of fishing, boating and traveling. He was also involved with many civic organizations including but not limited to Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree), Caseville Kiwanis Club, American Legion Post 543, Caseville, VFW, Caseville Eagles as well as being the Secretary for the Sand Point Association.
On August 27, 2006, the Huron Daily Tribune honored Mike as the oldest living former football player of the Bad Axe High School football team, also the only undefeated team in school's history.
Mike was the dearest father of Nora (James) Howe of Naperville, IL; Mary Kay (Ralph) Kirchner of
Parkton, MD; Michael of Westland, MI; Matthew (Wendy) of Owasso, OK. He was the dear brother of Margaret Kelly of Caseville and Catherine Rapson of Bad Axe. He also leaves behind many
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including dear friend, Doris Galloway.
Preceding him in death were siblings, James, Thomas, Stanley, Martin and John Slavin, Evelyn Livingston, Irene Slavin, Anastasia McLeod and Flora Jankowski.
A funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Friday, October 26, at St. Roch Catholic Church, Caseville. Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yaroch, pastor will officiate with burial and military honors by the Caseville American Legion at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bad Axe.
A Knights of Columbus rosary service will be conducted 6:30 PM Thursday at the Champagne Funeral Chapel, Caseville where friends may call from 3 to 9 PM Thursday and at the church after 10 AM Friday.
Memorials may by given to; American Heart Assn, American Diabetes Assn or St. Roch Building Fund