Obituaries

Michael “Mike” Albert Hamel, a lifelong resident of Cedarville, Michigan, died on October 5, 2023, at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace, Michigan, at the age of 62. He was born in Cedarville on February 20, 1961, to parents Edwin Frank Jr. and Ruby Jane (Waybrant) Hamel.

Mike, affectionately known as “Buzz”, spent his youth along the shores of Cedarville and graduated with the class of 1979 from Cedarville (Les Cheneaux) High School. He enjoyed all four seasons of the year, loved spending time at the family cabin on Big Lasalle, and boating on Lake Huron in the Les Cheneaux area. Mike had a great love for waterfowl and wildlife of all the Great Lakes, and found a lifelong career where he was never far from the water. He married his wife Cathy Hamel on August 23, 2001, and gained a wonderful family and became a grandfather. He worked for Flotation Docking Systems in Cedarville for over 40 years. Mike was an incredibly hard worker and the entire crew at Flotation were like family to him.

Mike was an avid Detroit Lions Fan and caught every game he could. He recently attended the Lions versus Packers football game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, thanks to his son-in law, Tommy MacLean, and was able to see his favorite team win. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR and spending time with his family. He had a very special bond with his grandsons, Dakota, Kenneth and Nicholas whom he loved dearly. Mike was a great man and a loyal friend to many. He was loved by his entire community and will be dearly missed by all.

Mike is survived by his wife, Cathy Hamel; stepdaughters, Danielle (Tommy) MacLean and Jennifer Havard; stepson Scott Cradduck; grandchildren, Dakota (Jillian) Fairchild, Kenneth Havard and Nicholas Fairchild; great-granddaughter, Kendall Fairchild; brother Gene (Brenda) Hamel; Aunt, Connie Waybrant; and a dear friend and very close cousin Lori (Wisner) Johnson; and many more wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Miss Molly.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Ruby, and his sister Lucinda “Cindy” Malkowski.

Per his wishes, cremation will take place & no services are planned at this time.

If you wish to pay respects to Mike, please consider aiding in the cremation costs through donation to the funeral home.

When I Get Where I’m Going by Brad Paisley ft. Dolly Parton:

“Yeah, when I get where I'm going
Well, there'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah, when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here”