Michael John Gagnon

East Lansing

Passed away Saturday, January 21, 2012 at his home of cancer.

He was born in Alpena, MI on November 28, 1951 to Maxine and the late Dallas Gagnon. He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17, and on his 18th birthday, he was deployed to Vietnam as a combat medic. He was honorably discharged in November, 1971, with two purple hearts. He married Raeann Church at St. Anne Catholic Church, Alpena, on August 13, 1977. In 1978 they moved to East Lansing, where he resided most of his life. He was employed for 33 years by the United States Postal Service, and was a strong supporter of his daughter’s Girl Scout Troops, volunteering and helping with programs and events, serving as both troops’ cookie chair for a number of years. Michael was a member of St. Martha Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Council #7816, and an avid outdoorsman. He especially enjoyed spending time with his brothers at his family’s hunting camp in Alpena.

He leaves his wife of 34 years, Raeann (Church) Gagnon; two daughters, Kendra, East Lansing and Chelsea (Torrin) Liddell, Bloomington, IN; mother, Maxine (LaFave) Gagnon, Alpena, MI; five brothers, Steven (Cindy) Prairieville, LA, David, Alpena, MI, Jon (Nancy), Grawn, MI, Lee (Kathy), Alpena, MI, and Kevin, Alpena, MI; three sisters, Nancy (Michael) Belanger, Alpena, MI, Mary Kay Fitzgerald, Central Point, OR and Yvonne (Chris) Moran, South Boardman, MI and many nieces, nephews and friends to cherish his memory. Michael was preceded in death by one brother, Philip and one niece, Jamie Moran.

The family will receive friends Wednesday January 25, 2012, 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing with a scripture service at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, January 26th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Martha Parish, 1100 W. Grand River Avenue, Okemos, with Rev. Fr. Jonathan Wehrle officiating. There will be visitation at the church 1 hour prior to the service.

Interment will take place at the Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI.

On-line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com

Arrangements under the direction of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, East Lansing, MI.