Obituary for Michael (Mike) Robert Horwood
Michael “Mike” Robert Horwood passed away unexpectedly on Friday, April 15, 2022 at the age of 63.
Mike was born to school teachers, Robert and Mary Louise Horwood in Garden City, MI. He spent his summers growing up at their cabin at Buck Lake, in the Upper Peninsula. He thought everyone got a 3 month vacation each summer! His life completely changed when he was blessed with his 3 children, DeiDra, Rob, and Samantha. Mike later met Jan by chance in 1994 while he was working as the construction manager on a condo complex. Jan had recently purchased a condo and Mike was smitten with the new resident. They married, proving the quintessential adage “opposites attract”, and spent 27 wonderful years together. Mike built Jan her dream home in Milan and in homage to the cabin he spent his summers in, he built a new cabin at Canada Creek Ranch in Atlanta, MI. Effectively “bringing Buck Lake a bit south” to make the travel a bit closer.
Mike was a handyman, tinkerer; a true MacGyver. He was the go-to guy for questions and to solve problems. He was known to say that he could fix anything but a broken heart. He taught his children to drive in parking lots during snow storms and enjoyed passing his wealth of knowledge onto them; maybe a few of his catchphrases too. He found satisfaction in woodworking to a fuller degree in his later years. Just recently finishing a beautiful Maple countertop for the cabin up north. He cut his own wood and blended the pieces together with the natural curves and lines to appear seamless. A priceless labor of love that Jan will forever cherish.
Mike smiled with his whole face. He was loud, boisterous and a fantastic hugger; you knew when he walked into a room. He didn’t know many strangers and could always break the ice with any crowd. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, especially when they came over Christmas Eve so he could watch them open their gifts the next morning. He showed a bit of his English heritage now and then by enjoying some tea with cream. And as a strong man of faith, he would exclaim “I make a joyous noise for the Lord”, while singing songs loudly and often just a bit out of tune. Mike was a member of the Ypsilanti Wesleyan Church, where he was a trustee and the sound board operator.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife and sweetie Jan Horwood; his loving children DeiDra Horwood, Rob (Sarah) Horwood, and Samantha Horwood; cherished grandchildren, Keznick, Elijah, Kingston, Kaleeyah, Landon, Britton, and Slade; dear sisters, Nan (Bob) Hansen, Kris (Roger) Malkowski, and Kathy (Joe) Mohr; and many many friends.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home - Carpenter Road Chapel on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A Celebration of Life will be held the following day, Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 12:00pm at the funeral home with the Rev Tim Holcomb-Densmore officiating. Interment to take place following the service at Bethlehem Cemetery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Services will be live streamed for friends and family to attend virtually by using the link below:
Mike Horwood Celebration of Life Livestream Link
For those that would like to make a donation, the family suggests the following: Ypsilanti Wesleyan Church; 1646 E Forest Ave; Ypsilanti, MI 48198 or a charity of your choice in Mike’s honor.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Michael.
Mike was born to school teachers, Robert and Mary Louise Horwood in Garden City, MI. He spent his summers growing up at their cabin at Buck Lake, in the Upper Peninsula. He thought everyone got a 3 month vacation each summer! His life completely changed when he was blessed with his 3 children, DeiDra, Rob, and Samantha. Mike later met Jan by chance in 1994 while he was working as the construction manager on a condo complex. Jan had recently purchased a condo and Mike was smitten with the new resident. They married, proving the quintessential adage “opposites attract”, and spent 27 wonderful years together. Mike built Jan her dream home in Milan and in homage to the cabin he spent his summers in, he built a new cabin at Canada Creek Ranch in Atlanta, MI. Effectively “bringing Buck Lake a bit south” to make the travel a bit closer.
Mike was a handyman, tinkerer; a true MacGyver. He was the go-to guy for questions and to solve problems. He was known to say that he could fix anything but a broken heart. He taught his children to drive in parking lots during snow storms and enjoyed passing his wealth of knowledge onto them; maybe a few of his catchphrases too. He found satisfaction in woodworking to a fuller degree in his later years. Just recently finishing a beautiful Maple countertop for the cabin up north. He cut his own wood and blended the pieces together with the natural curves and lines to appear seamless. A priceless labor of love that Jan will forever cherish.
Mike smiled with his whole face. He was loud, boisterous and a fantastic hugger; you knew when he walked into a room. He didn’t know many strangers and could always break the ice with any crowd. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, especially when they came over Christmas Eve so he could watch them open their gifts the next morning. He showed a bit of his English heritage now and then by enjoying some tea with cream. And as a strong man of faith, he would exclaim “I make a joyous noise for the Lord”, while singing songs loudly and often just a bit out of tune. Mike was a member of the Ypsilanti Wesleyan Church, where he was a trustee and the sound board operator.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife and sweetie Jan Horwood; his loving children DeiDra Horwood, Rob (Sarah) Horwood, and Samantha Horwood; cherished grandchildren, Keznick, Elijah, Kingston, Kaleeyah, Landon, Britton, and Slade; dear sisters, Nan (Bob) Hansen, Kris (Roger) Malkowski, and Kathy (Joe) Mohr; and many many friends.
Visitation will be held at Nie Funeral Home - Carpenter Road Chapel on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A Celebration of Life will be held the following day, Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 12:00pm at the funeral home with the Rev Tim Holcomb-Densmore officiating. Interment to take place following the service at Bethlehem Cemetery in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Services will be live streamed for friends and family to attend virtually by using the link below:
Mike Horwood Celebration of Life Livestream Link
For those that would like to make a donation, the family suggests the following: Ypsilanti Wesleyan Church; 1646 E Forest Ave; Ypsilanti, MI 48198 or a charity of your choice in Mike’s honor.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Michael.