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Michael Rex Lechenet, age 70, went home on Friday, July 15, 2022, and the world changed forever. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, James Harold, Sr. and Edith (Franks) Lechenet; his brothers, James Jr., Robert and wife, Mary, and Jimmy Lechenet; sisters, Marie Lechenet, Linda Williamson, and Regina Kasun.
Mike is survived by a daughter, Tara Lechenet; brother, Ron (Eileen) Lechenet; sister in law, Edie Lechenet; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; as well as family friends. Remember you don’t have to be blood to be family.
Mike was born in, lived, and worked in Benton Harbor. Mike worked for 25 years as a plumbing supply delivery driver. He also resided in Eau Claire, Dowagiac, and Paw Paw, as well as Harlingen, Texas, making many friends and changing lives along the way.
You will never meet a person with such qualities, such as selflessness, spiritualism, patriotism, and a friendly disposition. He genuinely cared and loved. He loved life and did some amazing things with it. Mike began re-enacting when he was a kid with his friends during WWII; playing cowboys and Indians, and getting it all on film to watch later. He started re-enacting with the big boys and girls in 1972, and through 2021 when he was home last year at Mooresville. He was lucky enough to find a new re-enactment family while he lived in Texas. Mike’s impressions include, Mountain Man, Civil War both blue and gray, WWI, WWII American and German, and Cowboy.
Mike was the life of every event or get-together, and you always knew he was close by when he let loose with his unique laugh. It was so contagious; you couldn’t help but laugh yourself. And the more you laughed, the more he did. Mike was a talented artist, making beautiful sketches and then giving them away. Mike brought people together, and many of the friends he has left behind would never have met without him bringing them together. He put other people’s needs before his own, which is rare these days. It was the same with animals. He loved them, and they loved him back. Mike’s spirituality served many in their time of need, and he was always there to offer help. Michael Lechenet: a son, a brother, a father, a friend. Whatever you called him, Mike is loved and will be missed but never forgotten because he lives on in each and every living thing he has ever touched.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Full Dress at Mooresville, 9634 CR687, South Haven, MI. Bring a chair, table service and beverage, and a dish to pass.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com
Mike was a great guy. I met Mike in Harlingen,Texas.
Mike’s van was stolen last year. Although he got it back worse for the wear, he demonstrated a coolness I’ve not seen. I learned from Mike and only wish I could have conducted myself the way he did. RIP brother.