Lt. Col. Neal Jay Michal Jr., 69, Grayling, Mich., passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2010, of cardiomyopathy at home with family. He was born March 8, 1941, in Rensselaer; his parents were Neal J. Michal Sr. and Wilma Dobbins Michal, both are deceased.
He grew up on a farm and graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1959 and volunteered for the U.S. Army two weeks later. He spent 33 years in the military, spending time in the Army and Army National Guard. He was retired from active duty in August 1992. He retired to Grayling, which is the home of his wife, JoAnn Morrison Michal.
He married the love of his life on Aug. 18, 1988, at Camp Grayling Chapel.
He has three sons, one daughter and eight grandchildren. All three sons served in the U.S. Army Infantry, and their years of service combined with his total 69 years of service, of which the colonel was very proud. His father and seven of his uncles served in World War II. Another uncle fought in the Korean War. His great-grandfather, Phil Dobbins, fought in the Civil War and was decorated by President Lincoln at Gettysburg for bravery.
Michal was a parachute infantry officer for his entire career. He was a graduate of infantry officers school at Fort Benning, Ga., and numerous other military schools. He was very proud of his military family.
His survivors are his wife, JoAnn, Grayling; Neal Jay Michal III (Sandy) and their two sons, Cummings, Ga.; his daughter, Debra Baker (David) and two children, Rossville; his son, Mark Michal, and his four children, Monticello; his son, Mark Michal, and his four children, Monticello; his son Justin Michal, Grayling; his siblings are Edward (Barb) Michal, Rensselaer, sister Kathy Erwin (Paul), Granger, and brother, Chip Erwin, Syracuse.
Neal became very involved in Grayling activities and served 17 years on six county and township boards. He was most proud of his time spent on the County Commission on Aging. He was one of the founders of the local snowmobile club and had been the chairman of the Crawford County Republican Party and Grayling Promise Keepers. He was a member of 15 military organizations, and a lifetime member of the NRA. He loved the cabin, his boat, Indy racing, NHRA, a good cigar and a Bloody Mary. One of his favorite sayings was “It’s not important about what people say about us, it’s what we know inside that counts.”
His remains were cremated, and his ashes scattered per his desires. A celebration will be on Aug. 7 at Camp Grayling’s Officer’s Club. Meet promptly at 7 p.m. to proceed to Division Hill for full military honors service. RSVP is required. Call 989-348-9033 or e-mail oclub@verizon.net. Identification is required to enter Camp Grayling.
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