WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Michael Lee Elliott, age 80, of Sturgis, passed away February 26, 2024 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.
He was born October 13, 1943 in Grand Haven, Michigan, son of the late Harvey J and Mary Jane (Zerbe) Elliott.
Michael resided in St Joseph County since early childhood, maintaining a Sturgis address for over 50 years.
After completing his civil engineering degree at MSU, he began his lifetime career as a professional engineer at St. Joseph County Road Commission, until his retirement nearly 40 years later.
He married Judith Ann (Saums) Hagadorn in 1990. She preceded him in death on June 11, 2020.
He is survived by his sister Mary Alice (Leslie) Pitts of Ellicott City, Maryland; brothers H. Jay Elliott of Aurora, Ohio, Gary R. Elliott of Constantine, and Marc E. (Laurie) Elliott of Vicksburg; and Jackie K. (Robbins) Bankemper Boals of Sturgis, the mother of his stepson David.
He was preceded in death by his wife Judith, son Lee Michael Elliott and stepson David Edward Bankemper of Sturgis; parents; stepfather Arthur E. Ahlgrim of Sturgis, and sisters-in-law Judie Elliott (H. Jay) of Ohio, and Judy Elliott (Gary) of Constantine.
Michael was a gifted athlete growing up in Centreville. In high school he excelled in both basketball and track. He won the state 440 yard sprint event in 1960, where his time stood as a state record for several years. He played center for the Centreville High School basketball team that won the Class C Regional Championship, and made it to the statewide quarter-finals despite the team’s small stature. He graduated in 1961 and continued his education at MSU. He continued his interest in sports at MSU playing intramural basketball, joining league team basketball following graduation, and water skiing on local lakes. Michael was inducted into the Centreville HS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. Michael was further honored in 2013 with a second induction into the Hall of Fame for 1961 Men’s Basketball.
Family was always important to Michael. He especially enjoyed summers hosting his nieces and nephews with their families at his Fish Lake cottage. In later years he and Judy enjoyed traveling, and delighted in visiting his many cousins scattered throughout the nation.
Michael took great pride in his stewardship over public infrastructure, his first structure project being a replacement bridge over the St. Joseph River in downtown Mendon. In March of 2022 the St Joseph County Road Commission recognized Michael for Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to the Mission of the St. Joseph CRC. Giving back to his community was a lifelong commitment, which will continue with Michael’s directive that his estate be used to create an Elliott Scholarship Fund for Centreville graduates to attend trade school or a 2 or 4-year accredited college, in a community-needed field of study.
In accordance with his wish, cremation has taken place. A gathering of friends and family to celebrate and honor Michael’s memory will be held on Thursday, March 28 in the Conference Room at Thurston Woods Village, 307 N Franks, Sturgis. Visitation will start at 1:30 with remembrances beginning at 2:00.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial donations would be appreciated to Willowbrook Alzheimer Memory Care at Thurston Woods, the Elliott Scholarship Fund, c/o Century Bank & Trust, Sturgis, or the Salvation Army of Sturgis.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
