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Michael A. Wozniel, age 67, passed away Monday, November 13th, 2023, in Virginia Beach, VA surrounded by his loving family. Mike was born August 28th, 1956, to Anthony and Joanne Wozniel in Three Rivers. He was a graduate of White Pigeon High School, class of 1974.
In early life, Mike was heavily involved in 4-H, where he raised and showed rabbits and ponies. As he grew older his passion for sports began to blossom. In high school he lettered in football, wrestling, and baseball.
In the fall of 1977, Mike and Candi met, who quickly became the love of his life and in November of 1978 they were married. They started their family in White Pigeon, where Mike worked at Wells Manufacturing. Volunteering his time at White Pigeon High School, he coached the wrestling team and helped lead the football team to a State Championship runner up finish in 1980.
In 1983, he moved his family to Virginia Beach, VA to take a job with Ingersoll Dresser Pump. In their move to Virginia, Mike continued to live out his passion for sports by coaching Pee-wee football and played men’s league softball. While mastering his craft, he finally landed at Sumitomo in 2008 taking a supervising position in the machine shop. This would be where he worked for 15 years until his retirement in April 2023.
In his spare time, Mike enjoyed the frustrations of the ups and downs of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago Bears. He enjoyed fishing and golfing as much as he could. Taking fishing trips to Canada and Lake Gaston with friends and family were events he looked forward to yearly. However, none of these were more important than any of his 5 children or 7 grandkids events. His family was his life and what he lived for. There was never a louder cheerleader than Mike for his family. The warmup rub of the hands with the thunderous CLAP that we all grew to love!
Left to carry on the legacy of Michael A. Wozniel are his wife, Candi Wozniel; five children Danielle Wheaton (Christopher), Justin Wozniel (Loryana), Jordan Wozniel (Sarah), Susan Wozniel, and Dianna Wozniel (Castor Rosario); grandchildren Ellie Wheaton, Brenna Wheaton, Greta Wheaton, Liam Wozniel, Lennon Wozniel, Brooks Wozniel, and Mabel Wozniel; sister Mary Anderson; Aunt Loretta Dolan; in-laws Ken and Sue Strawser, Nikki and Jim Burgess; and host a family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday November 24, 2023, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5033 Rouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Please understand that this will be a casual event, as Mike would much rather see everyone in Notre Dame, Cubs, or Bears attire as opposed to a suit and tie.
In lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider donating to the American Red Cross Blood Center or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to all of those who have donated to organizations like this. Mike would not have been able to fight the fight without you!
