Michael Robert Ferris
August 16th, 1949 - March 24th, 2024
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Michael's Obituary
Michael Robert Ferris, 74, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Mike was born on August 16, 1949, in Niles, to Robert and Martha (Young) Ferris. He lived in Buchanan all of his life and graduated from Buchanan High School with the class of 1969. That fall, Mike was drafted into the United States Marine Corps, serving two years in Camp Pendleton, California, and Okinawa. While at Camp Pendleton, Mike also served as a firefighter on the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. Upon his discharge from the Marines in 1971, Mike returned to Buchanan and volunteered with the Bertrand Township Fire Department, where he would serve for 25 years.
Mike married Janice ‘Jan’ Davidson on July 8, 1972, at the Church of the Nazarene in Buchanan. The highlight of their wedding day was being transported in the firetruck by Chief Adam Kuntz, from the church to their reception at the fire station.
Mike established himself as a painter, carpenter, and handyman, and he operated Mike Ferris Home Improvements until his retirement in 2018. Mike worked hard at his craft and painted many houses, barns, and other structures in the Buchanan community, and beyond. Regardless of whether it was a big job or a small project, Mike enjoyed carpentry and he had a sawmill to cut lumber for use on some of those projects. Mike enjoyed helping on his grandparents’ farm as a kid, and tinkered in farming as an adult whenever he had the chance. Mike was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time at his cabin in the Upper Peninsula.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Martha. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jan, and sister, Rosalie Ferris of Buchanan; cats, Lily and Izzy, who gave him much love and joy.
Visitation for Mike will be held from 11am-1pm on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan. A celebration of life service will begin at 1 pm. Interment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan, with full military honors rendered by the United States Marine Corps and the Buchanan American Legion. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in Mike’s name may be made to the Bertrand Firefighters Association or the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. The family would like to thank the caring professionals at Corewell Health House Calls and Corewell Health Caring Circle Hospice, for the wonderful care Mike received.
Mike was born on August 16, 1949, in Niles, to Robert and Martha (Young) Ferris. He lived in Buchanan all of his life and graduated from Buchanan High School with the class of 1969. That fall, Mike was drafted into the United States Marine Corps, serving two years in Camp Pendleton, California, and Okinawa. While at Camp Pendleton, Mike also served as a firefighter on the Camp Pendleton Fire Department. Upon his discharge from the Marines in 1971, Mike returned to Buchanan and volunteered with the Bertrand Township Fire Department, where he would serve for 25 years.
Mike married Janice ‘Jan’ Davidson on July 8, 1972, at the Church of the Nazarene in Buchanan. The highlight of their wedding day was being transported in the firetruck by Chief Adam Kuntz, from the church to their reception at the fire station.
Mike established himself as a painter, carpenter, and handyman, and he operated Mike Ferris Home Improvements until his retirement in 2018. Mike worked hard at his craft and painted many houses, barns, and other structures in the Buchanan community, and beyond. Regardless of whether it was a big job or a small project, Mike enjoyed carpentry and he had a sawmill to cut lumber for use on some of those projects. Mike enjoyed helping on his grandparents’ farm as a kid, and tinkered in farming as an adult whenever he had the chance. Mike was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time at his cabin in the Upper Peninsula.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Martha. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jan, and sister, Rosalie Ferris of Buchanan; cats, Lily and Izzy, who gave him much love and joy.
Visitation for Mike will be held from 11am-1pm on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Swem Chapel, 301 W. Front St., Buchanan. A celebration of life service will begin at 1 pm. Interment will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Buchanan, with full military honors rendered by the United States Marine Corps and the Buchanan American Legion. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in Mike’s name may be made to the Bertrand Firefighters Association or the Marine Corps Toys for Tots. The family would like to thank the caring professionals at Corewell Health House Calls and Corewell Health Caring Circle Hospice, for the wonderful care Mike received.
Memorial Contributions
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.