Burlyn Everett "Mike" Michel

On March 7, 1923, Burlyn Everett “Mike” Michel was born to Roy Wesley Michel, a Methodist minister and his wife Ella in Ladoga, Indiana. 101 years later in Athens, Georgia, he left this world on March 12, 2024. In those 101 years, Mike constantly strived to be a good, fair, hardworking man. He was a boy Scout as a child and when he had boys of his own, he was a scoutmaster for 12 years. Even at 101, he would hold up his hand and count off the traits of a scout: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Mike was all of these.

He served in the Army in Germany during WWII. He returned home after the war to marry his sweetheart Mary Schalkle, whom he had met at a dance in South Dakota while enlisted. The two lived in Chicago while he earned a PhD in Botany, and then they moved to Iowa City where he taught at the University of Iowa. Seven years later, they moved to Athens, Georgia, where he taught and did research in Plant Physiology for 30 years. Once their kids went off to college, Mike and Mary discovered square dancing. They were very active in local square dancing. They taught both square and round dancing and he loved to cue round dances. Mike and Mary served as co-presidents of the Northeast Georgia Federation of Square Dancers in the 1970’s. Even after Mary passed away, he continued to square dance until the COVID pandemic hit. Ever the talker, he would eagerly regale you with a story or two if given a chance.

He cherished his family and always looked forward to their company. He is survived by his children Linda Michel Fountain (husband Jack), Douglas Roy Michel (wife Diana) and Donald Henry Michel (wife Debbie). Also surviving him are his sister Evelyn Wachstetter, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents, his sister Ruth Duggleby and his beloved wife Mary.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m., in the Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends for one hour after the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Burlyn Michel to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at https://www.theaftd.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.