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 Michael Norman Wilson of Manchester, formerly of Belleville, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Garden City and Cheboygan; At age 69, died Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at the home of friends in Manchester, where he found respite and was living intermittently for several years.  He was born January 24, 1951, in Detroit, the son of Norman Delbert Wilson and Mary (Butler) Wilson.  He was the youngest of 11 children growing up on a poultry farm in Belleville.
 
He served in the US Army , during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1972, where he was a decorated combat infantryman.
 
Mike was a career truck driver for a mid-sized Michigan based company where he received a Million Mile Safe Driving Award. Due to a serious illness he was no longer able to continue this work. 
 
Although he was homeless since 2004, he was a valuable member of our community. Private individuals and small business owners in the Ann Arbor community contributed to his wellbeing for many years.  He was stubbornly independent and strived to repay his debts. Despite battling physical and mental challenges, he always showed integrity and honesty.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by loving friends, Andre & Lori Marcoux, and his church family at Zion Lutheran Church (Chelsea).
 
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, at 1:00 pm, at the home of Andre and Lori Marcoux, 10450 Parr Rd, Manchester, 48158. with Pastor Kathy Tulman officiating.  A private burial will take place at a later time.  Memorial contributions  may be made to  Zion Lutheran Church for burial expenses, or to MISSION Ann Arbor to continue their efforts toward assisting the community of people who are homeless.  Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
 

 
You may share a memory of Mike using the form below.  Please allow up to 24 hours for us to review and post your message.
 

Comments  

#8 Amy Seetoo 2020-05-10 18:44
I can still see Mike smiling and sitting at Stuart’s 90th birthday party, keeping our cat company. When Stuart and I were going to visit Cheboygan, he asked us to stop by his grandfather’s farm that he sold to pay for his medical treatment, which rendered him homeless eventually. We remember him as a skilled painter, who painted our ceiling, perched on top of some serious scaffolding. He was not afraid of heights!
We met Mike through Andre and Lori, who showed me how to be kind to fellow human beings who are not necessarily relatives. We learned how a homeless person had to jump through hoops to get another copy of his stolen birth certificate in order to get benefits! Mike showed us many aspects of life that we might not have had a chance to know. We hope to be as kind as Andre and Lori.
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#7 Lori ONeil 2020-04-24 19:30
I only saw him once since that time, but it was as I was coming home from work. He was near the exit ramp from I-94W to State Street, so I couldn't stop and talk to him like I wanted to. I still have a pair of jeans in the back of my car that I was going to give to him the next time I saw him. I will find a good home for them.

My heart is heavy, and I have tears streaming down my face as I write this. But I am comforted by the fact that he didn't die alone and that he had such caring friends and a comfortable place to live in the years since I have seen him. I will miss him. Bless you, Lori and Andre. (2/2)
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#6 Lori ONeil 2020-04-24 19:29
Lori and Andre, thank you so much for posting this. I have often wondered how Mike was doing these days. I frequently stopped and talked to him when he was sitting near the McDonald's on S. State Street. I learned about his background and his health struggles, but was comforted to know that the University of Michigan was taking care of him when he needed health care. He always was so friendly and cheerful.

As I got to know him better over the years, I would ask him if there was anything that he needed, and I was always glad that I found a home for some of our gently used belongings when he would name a few items that he could use.And he never asked for much. :) One of my favorite memories is how appreciative he was when I gave him some peaches from Costco. The next time I saw him, he told me how delicious they were.

I haven't seen him in a few years, in part because I went back to work in February of 2017, so I couldn't get lunch at McDonald's anymore. (1/2)
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#5 Jon 2020-04-24 14:26
I know this may seem to be an odd thing to say but I am really moved both by the love Lori & Andre showed Mike as well as how this remembrance was written. Our society makes it so difficult to honor our poor and our homeless - whoever wrote this found the perfect voice to do this.
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#4 Susan Hawkins 2020-03-10 17:31
I only met Mike once and I would like to thank you for telling me his story. He was a very lucky man to find your family. You are are a blessing .
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#3 Laurie 2020-03-09 11:32
Lori & Andre, YOU are exactly what Christ wishes for us brothers and sisters to be. I greatly admire you. The love and caring you gave to Mike is beyond measure. Bless both of you.
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#2 Lori Marcoux 2020-03-08 19:47
We miss you Mike. We're sharing your story with friends, NOT because of what we have done for you, but because of what YOU have done for US. I know that has been hard for you to understand. We can talk about it when I get there. Rest peacefully in your new and final home.
Your friend, Lori
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#1 Mary Tobin 2020-03-08 09:11
I am so sorry, Andre and Lori. Mike was blessed to have you in his life.
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