Michael Callen

A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Michael Callen lived a heart-centered life rich in creativity and unwavering support. Michael found joy in life's simple pleasures, including sharing time with loved ones, preparing a great meal, fishing for various fish, tinkering with his motorcycle, and tending his garden. He embraced each moment as a gift and generously shared his talents with others in hopes of lightening their burdens. In doing so, he proved a powerful role model for all who were blessed to know him. Without a doubt, Michael will long be remembered and so dearly missed.

1955 proved a year of vibrant growth, with many changes in lifestyles. With the sale of nearly 7.9 million cars, for the first time in history, seven out of ten families in the U.S. owned an automobile, and new laws were created to require seat belts to be installed on all new cars. This was the year Ray Kroc built the first McDonald's, and TV dinners appeared, including the first fish fingers. Cans of Coca-Cola, Lego, Velcro, and The Mickey Mouse Club all made their debuts during this prosperous year, while Rock and Roll music continued to grow in popularity with more idols including Elvis Presley, Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry and The Platters. This time of hope and plenty grew especially bright as Barbara (Murray) and John Callen welcomed their son Michael to their family on April 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Growing up on Honey Creek Ave. in Ada, Michigan, Michael enjoyed the good company of his younger siblings: Linda, Dan, Kathy, David, and Dawn. His father worked as a lineman at General Motors, loading box cars, and other things, and his mother worked in a bank before devoting herself to her family once she had children. The family spent a good amount of time playing board games, visiting with their Murray relatives, and enjoyed camping in Colorado and exploring Pikes Peak. Michael's family attended Cannonsburg Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee for a time. Michael also enjoyed building car models, listening to records, playing cribbage and chess, and biking.

After attending Cannonsburg Elementary and Lowell High schools, Michael passed his GED in his senior year and joined the military. During his two years in the Air Force, his specialty was airplane maintenance. Naturally mechanical, Michael was also very good at woodworking and building things. For a time, he took drafting through Wyoming Adult Education and electrical classes at Davenport University.

While at a Clark gas station on Plainfield St. in Grand Rapids, Michael had the good fortune of meeting his future wife, Nellie Courtright, who was working as a paraprofessional for Grand Rapids Public Schools at the time. After dating for a year, Michael and Nellie married at Sunshine Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids on June 3, 1978. They honeymooned on Mackinac Island and made their first home in an apartment on Dean St. NE Grand Rapids.

The couple was blessed to welcome children to their family, and Matthew, Jamey, Joshua, and Melissa became the centers of their world. To provide for his family, Michael worked many jobs as a handyman and in mechanical drafting and carpentry. Early on, he also did custodial work and worked in a print shop. A hands-on parent, Michael cared for the kids a lot, cooking and handling emergencies that occurred. He was a loving, good, protective father, who enjoyed the outdoors - The family visited Nellie's parents at Bass Lake in Pentwater, Michigan often.

In addition to doing lawn and garden work, Michael's favorite pastimes included riding and working with motorbikes and motorcycles, as well as cars. He even made his own custom fishing poles and built bikes. Michael's knife collection, tools, custom-built fishing poles, and bikes were his greatest treasures. He was also a very good cook and loved to prepare breakfast foods, chili, roast, various meats (including turkey and ham), meatloaf, and salmon patties. His favorite restaurants included Kentucky Fried Chicken, Logan's Roadhouse, Long John Silver's, and Cousin's Tasty Chicken. Whether hunting, fishing, gardening, or encouraging and supporting his children and wife, Michael relished family life.

As Michael and Nellie's family grew to include grandchildren, Michael was delighted to welcome the role of grandfather. His eight grandchildren and great-grandchild were his heart's delight, and he loved spending time with them.

A wonderful man who showed others how to blaze their own trails, Michael's legacy of service, unwavering support, and love for a good meal and being outdoors will surely live on in the hearts and lives of those he so dearly loved.

Michael Callen, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, with his family by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John (Ken) and Barbara Callen, and his brother-in-law, Bob Courtright.

Mike is survived by his wife, Nellie Callen; his children, Matt (Lisa) Callen, Jamey Callen, Joshua (Stephanie) Callen, Joey (Melissa) Waite; his grandchildren, Nathan Krombeen, Michelle Callen, Lucas Callen, Lacie Chumney, Justin Vandyke, Jordan Vandyke, Liam Waite, Jordan Jones; his great-grandchild, Peyton Krombeen; his siblings, Linda Zylstra, Dan (Debby) Callen, Kathy (Mark) Martis, David (Kera) Callen, Dawn (Kent) Brunette; his in-laws; Tom (Claudia) Courtright, Gord (Janet Gleason) Courtright, and June Courtright; along with many nieces and nephews.

All family and friends are invited to a graveside service that will be held on Wednesday, June 18th, at 3 PM at Rosedale Memorial Park. For those attending the graveside, please meet at the chapel at Rosedale Memorial Park (50 Lake Michigan Dr, Walker, MI 49544). Once you enter the cemetery off of Lake Michigan Drive take a left and the building will be straight ahead.