Mike Judy

Michael Richard Judy, age 66 of Mattawan, Michigan; husband, father, son, machine repairman, Harley rider, and classic car owner died peacefully at 2:50 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2023 with his family gathered around at his home following a brief illness.  His family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care provided by the hospice staff.

He was born on April 15, 1957 in Niles, Michigan to Leo R. and Barbara J. (Lamberton) Judy, and attended Niles Community Schools, including Ballard – when it was a junior high school – where he enjoyed playing football.  He graduated from Niles High School where he competed with the track team.  After graduation, he began his machinery career at the Garden City Fan manufacturing plant in Niles.  He worked in a few other plants until finding a home at Denso Manufacturing Michigan, Inc. at the Fort Custer Industrial Park near Battle Creek, maintaining and repairing the machinery required to make the components for the radiator and air conditioner in your car.  He has lived in Mattawan since 1996.

Mike was fascinated by everything, learning about everything that fascinated him, and even managed to continue his education through some courses at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.  His employment took him to work in Japan a few times, and he enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii, California, and New York.

He enjoyed riding motorcycles, and has owned several, including a Harley-Davidson Road King.  He also owns a 1975 Olds Cutlass with the high-performance W-31 package and original paint (which might be for sale).

On Saturday, June 15, 1985 at the First Church of Christ – Christian on Yankee Street in Niles he married the former Debra May Hoyt, with whom he celebrated earlier this year the thirty-eighth anniversary of their wedding.

He was preceded in death just twelve months ago, by his mother, Barbara Judy, on September 3, 2022.

Surviving family includes his wife, Debbie Judy, and their son, Brian Michael Judy (& Lynette Naler) of Houston, Texas; and Mike’s father, Leo Judy of Niles.

The funeral service for Michael Judy will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at the Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, 61453 M-51, north of Niles, with the Pastor Jim Wing of Niles officiating.  Committal will follow on the family lot in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, at the Memorial Chapel beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Arrangements were completed at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles.  Online memories may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Mike’s life feels too short, but he was captivated by every day of those sixty-six years, learning more about everything that he saw, preparing for every trip so that he knew where he was going and what to watch for, and looking at a stopped machine to figure-out exactly how to repair it.  But all of that knowledge was best when shared with the people around him, and he was happiest at home with his wife and family.