Francis Earl Champagne Jr.

Earl Champagne of Clinton Township, Michigan passed away Saturday, February 11, 2023 in Clinton Township. Born Francis Earl Champagne Jr. on July 27, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan to Francis Earl Champagne Sr. and Edith Beryl Fuchs. After graduating high school Earl's deep faith led him to enter Seminary School but before becoming a priest he met and fell in love with Mary Lou Maurer. They married on September 25, 1953 but continued to fulfill his commitment to his faith through charitable giving and donations, volunteering and serving as Eucharistic Ministers for St. Paul of Tarsus Church. He was a self made, successful business man beginning with Champagne-Webber, Inc. Contractors which he started with his best friend Wayne Webber in the early 1960's building highways, bridges and airport runways in several states. Once Earl retired from Champagne-Webber Inc. it wasn't long before he started Champagne Associates and began investing in, and leasing out Industrial properties. He was an avid traveler and was blessed with the means to travel the world with his family, enjoy regular visits to Las Vegas and numerous hunting trips both local and abroad with Wayne. He also enjoyed Fis...[more]

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g and Coin Collecting and played a mean game of golf. Earl lived life to it's fullest while cherishing the unconditional love between he and his wife, raising 4 children and honoring his faith with his loving spirit, generosity and kindness and he will be deeply missed by all those he shared this life with. Adored father of Donald (Donna) Champagne, Susan Champagne (Greg Vitto) and Mary (Bradley) Taylor and father-in-law of Keith Chene; loving grandfather of Brittany McGuire (Lauren Badonski), Albert T. McGuire IV (Chanel Metzler), Amanda (Tim) Rucha, Keith (Stacie) Chene Jr., Benjamin (Tracey) Chene and Jennifer (Jason) O'Day and dear great grandfather of 6; Ella, Devin, Elyse and William Chene and Rebecca and Isaac O'Day, 1 sister; Dolly Champagne, 2 brothers; Bruce (Linda) and Ray Champagne and many nieces and nephews. Earl was preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary Lou Champagne in 2016, his daughter Bonnie Chene in 2019, granddaughter Becky and siblings; Georgeann and Tim Champagne. Visitation Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 1:00pm - 8:00pm with 7pm Rosary at Chas Verheyden, Inc., 43300 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, Michigan 48038. Instate 9:30am Monday, February 20, 2023 until time of Funeral Mass, 10:00am at St. Paul of Tarsus Catholic Church, 41300 Romeo Plank Rd., Clinton Township, Michigan 48038. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or the local Hospice Agency of your choosing and you may share memories with the family here at Verheyden.org