In loving memory of

Joseph A. Michaels
May 23, 1923 - April 8, 2014

Michaels, Joseph A. Skitch. April 8, 2014. Age 90. Beloved husband of Marie. Loving father of Denise (William) Balke, Anthony (Clarice) Michaels, and Mary Michaels. Cherished grandfather of Michele, Michael, Joseph, Emily, and Madeline, and great-grandfather of Landon, Sydney, and Daisy. Joseph was a caring, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a very proud member of the Elias Brothers restaurants corporate team. Joseph retired in 1993 as Vice President of Purchasing. Visitation 3-8 PM, with prayer service at 7:00 PM on Thursday at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Home, Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park. Funeral Friday at Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church, 629 Jefferson, Detroit; Instate 10:00 AM until time of Mass at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church, 438 St. Antoine Street, Detroit, MI 48226, St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church, 11466 Kercheval St, Detroit, MI 48214, or American Diabetes Association, 300 Galleria Officentre, Suite 111, Southfield, MI 48034. Light a candle and share a memory at www.verheyden.org

Tributes

Kathy Lassila wrote on May 4, 2014:

"My thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family Joe Michaels was my boss at Elias Brothers for 12 yrs he was an amazing man that I highly respected he had a kind heart towards everyone that came his way and he was a total famiily man who taught me "The work will be here when you return, family comes first" Rest in Peace Joe."

Michele, Brad, Lanny, Sydney and Daisy wrote on Apr 15, 2014:

"We Love and Miss You, Papa!"

Marge (Kuntz) VanTongeren wrote on Apr 12, 2014:

"Mr.Michaels was one of the kindest, funniest gentleman I have had the pleasure of knowing, all during my employment at CBC Sales with Jerry Collins- just listening to Jerry and Joe josh with each other is one of my fondest memories. Wonderful man!"

Tara Adams & Tiffany Hilson, Suite 2012 (Detroi.. wrote on Apr 11, 2014:

"Tony, We are praying for your family's strength during this time of loss. May God Bless and Keep you."

Doug and Liz Abood wrote on Apr 10, 2014:

"Love and sympathy to your wonderful family, Joe. Your sweet smile and loving presence will be sorely missed."

George and Laura Curis wrote on Apr 10, 2014:

"Tony, We are so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. Laura and I are in Washington D.C. visiting my son and won't be back until Monday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as your dad was a very special guy. He will always be one of the Big Boy Icons that I looked up to growing up in the Big Boy Family. My dad respected and truly appreciated all the work your dad did in moving the Big Boy Organization forward. God Bless. George and Laura Curis"

Philip R. Farris wrote on Apr 9, 2014:

"What a great family "Skitch" raised. I know that he and Marie were proud of them. I had the honor of sharing food in their kitchen in the old flat on Beaconsfield, in Grosse Pointe Park, and in their kitchen in Grosse Point Woods after he retired. I remember when Tony bought Joe's blue Volare' when we were in college and it still smelled of a Skitch cigar! Everyone that knows or knew you Mr. Michaels will miss you. Rest in Peace. You earned it."

Marilyn, Alan, Sara and Alex wrote on Apr 9, 2014:

"Uncle Joe always had a smile for us, and always said "ouch" when we kissed and hugged him. His heart was big - and even though I (marilyn) was the "troublemaker" who sometimes led his kids into scrapes, he said that with love. We will miss you so much."