Michael "Mike" John Henry entered eternal paradise along our Heavenly Father Thursday, July 7, 2022 at his home on Torch Lake, with his loving wife by his side.  A testament to their love, Michael's last act on Earth was a tender kiss for his wife before instantly passing, unexpectedly, after navigating life for a few years post heart surgery and stroke.

It doesn't seem the words exist to express the magic that will forever be Mike Henry.  He lived so incredibly large and loved even harder.  If Mike was your friend, you won the lottery.  If Mike was your blood, you won life.

With the most interesting life story that could never be summed up in a few paragraphs, we can all agree family, laughs, friends, and work were all he cared about. Mike graduated high school from Hemlock High in 1975 and immediately went to work drilling wells in the hard, cold grounds of Minnesota. Religiously writing love letters back to Robin in Michigan to say he was "saving his pennies for the wedding," they could have when she graduated.  They married June 4, 1976, just two days after her high school graduation.   Still a teen, with great promise, Michael launched MJ Henry Well Co in the fall of 1976.  Their incredibly romantic, intense, mad love for each other and fateful marriage bore three supremely adored children, a wildly fulfilling water well drilling business, and a brief, beautiful retirement on the "third most beautiful lake in the world."

Being an extraordinary husband and father came effortlessly.  Every family dinner was like Christmas for him and Christmas, larger than imagination.  He lived for it all. Every anniversary, birthday or holiday he always needed to top the one before until he couldn't go any higher.  His generosity was endless.  A more present husband or father, there was none. No event was ever missed. He did not let one moment of his life slip by without engaging with his family filled to the brim with joy.  From coming home after a long hot day drilling and jumping straight in the pool to play tag with his children, or almost always calling his wife on his way home so excited to discuss big dinner plans- not wasting a second joylessly was paramount to him.  His great charm and charisma was infectious.

Mike's pride in drilling water wells, as his father had- with his great son John Henry, brother Jimmy, grandson Auggie Henry, Bob Lalonde, as well as nephew & great nephew, Tony & Zachary Knight throughout so many years, was the greatest joy of his life.  We have no doubt when he gets settled, he will be getting the rigs ready for them.

Until then, Mike will be beaming as he looks down on his son John, putting his own stamp on the industry and carrying on his legacy with absolute pride.

Mike was a fierce humorist. No joke was off limits, and no skin could be thick enough for his antics.  Anything for a laugh was fair game, and he counted heavily on  three of his very best, son in law Josh, grandson Auggie, and great friend Dave Schark to engage in his prankster "love language."

Many closest friends and family members were often recruited to partake in his antics. Mike reveled in the camaraderie for their pursuit of the biggest belly laugh they could get.

You know who you are. You were so loved by him.

A greater crusader of joy, there was none. A quote he often borrowed from his father, Hank:  " Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."  More than anything, Mike loved being surrounded by loved ones.  No stranger to a thundering opinion or passion, he could make an enemy-but he absolutely could not keep one. Forgiveness and the pursuit of joy was his gift. No insult, argument or grudge would ever take priority over the opportunity to laugh together and get on with the good stuff.  His heart was of a giant, much too big for this world.

Michael became famous for the interests he loved, as he loved everything so fiercely.  Hunting pheasants specifically with browning shot guns and bird dogs, poker games with his rat pack, a truly intense fan of his Michigan Wolverines and his Ford NASCAR drivers… especially, Bill Elliott, #9.  Mike couldn't contain his excitement for the next season of interests on deck, as this insured gathering with his buddies… even if they were a Spartan.  His heart would never be happier than when he was working towards goals- one of his most famous… sizing up a Shelby Mustang.  We came to realize this chase, like many, was more about the excitement of the hunt for the perfect one and the work within the challenge to get there, than anything else.  How he adored hours spent searching and obsessing over goals with loved ones.  We know he's got the pedal to the metal, wind in his hair and his tan weathered, hand is shifting gears. Cherry red, white racing stripes…  and that killer smile.

The pride that we all hold to be Mike's and the honor of holding his good name, "Henry," is the luck of our lives.  With our immeasurable sorrow that we cannot be with him in the way we understand, we have great comfort in knowing he has went to such lengths to assure us beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is in fact full of his famous joy, cackling his famous laugh with loved ones who went before us. We know he's famously rubbing his hands together in excitement, waiting for all of our impending reunion.

Greeting him in heaven are his Grandparents John & Ruth Henry, Clarence & Evelyn Gerecke (MN. ), his mother and father, Duane J. Henry (St. Charles, MI) and Marilyn Manville (St. Paul, MN ).

Waiting this side of the gates for him to help call us home is his so beloved loyal wife and soul mate, Robin Henry (Torch Lake).  First born son and right hand man, John Henry (Torch Lake), ever aching daughter Jamie Henry-Schexnaildre (Joshua Schexnaildre, son in law who doubled as Mike's best friend -Old Mission), and his baby, Kate Henry Lonsway (beloved son in law, Matthew Lonsway, Lansing).  Michael's grandchildren:  Auggie John (Mini-Mike), Stassi Renèe, Emma Belle, Jake Michael, and Rockwell James will always hold the magic of Poppi as the greatest legacy a family could be gifted.  His Brother, James D. Henry (Jeanne, Hemlock, MI), sister Karen Mathiasen (St. Paul, MN), Half brother's David & Matthew Henry ( MN ) and so many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and too many friends to count, that he waits every bit as impatiently as he always did in life, to see us, once again.

Friends and Family alike are invited to do what Mike did best, celebrate life.  Please join us to lift him in prayer, love, and lots of laughter Friday, July 15, 2022 at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel, 312 Pine Street, Elk Rapids, MI 49629.  Visitation will take place from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM with funeral services being held from 1:15 PM to 2:00 PM.  Following will be committal at Milton Township Cemetery, Hickin Road NW Rapid City, Mi 49676.

WITH JOY YOU WILL DRAW WATER FROM THE WELLS OF SALVATION, Isaiah 12:3

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com