Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
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Mike Liebert

June 21, 1946 - May 6, 2019
Grand Rapids, MI

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Service

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
4:00 PM EDT
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
250 Commerce SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Friends may visit with Mike's family for one hour prior to the service and for a time immediately after the service during a time of refreshments and fellowship.

Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Bethlehem Intergenerational Center
250 Commerce Ave SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-1741

Checks can be payable to "Bethlehem Church", and include "BIC" on the memo field.

Web Site

Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society
129 Jefferson Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Michael Liebert was a hardworking man. His strength, resilience, and determination were a cornerstone in his life. Mike was friendly and outgoing - the sort of person who made friends everywhere he went. His love for his family was easy to see. Mike exemplified what it means to serve others in ways both great and small. Life will never be the same without him here, but he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever cherish.

With the end of WWII in 1945, there was dancing in the streets as America and our allies were victorious in the fight for the preservation of the freedoms we still enjoy today. Rationing had become a thing of the past, and manufacturing was no longer focused on supporting the war effort. As America was making the shift back to peacetime, Gustave and Carrie (Clothier) Liebert happily announced the birth of their baby boy, Michael Don on June 21, 1946, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The youngest of four, he joined his oldest sister Beverly, brother, Karl, as well as another sister, Laura, who was just two years older than him. Always known as Mike, he was primarily raised on the Southeast side of Grand Rapids. He enjoyed sports and family trips, especially to the cottage or Charlevoix. He made many friends at South High School, and always recalled that his father had been in one of the first graduating classes and he, one of the last.

Soon after high school, Mike was married and had his first son, Troy. During the Vietnam War, Mike served stateside for two years in the United States Army as a parachute specialist and trained in carpentry.

With his military duties fulfilled, Mike was honorably discharged and returned to Grand Rapids. He found work at a construction company at first, but later settled into a job at Bergsma Furniture, where he remained for many years. Gifted in working with his hands, Mike worked in both maintenance and carpentry, and he always was so proud to point out buildings and projects that he worked on around Grand Rapids.

Mike was remarried on October 31, 1970 to Sharon Oosting. His family grew to include two more children, Christine and Adam. They remained on the Southeast side for a time, but eventually purchased property in the Forest Hills area where Mike took care of some of the construction of their new home. A bit of a perfectionist when it came to plans for the house, Mike often left notes for the builders and completed several projects himself after the workers were done for the day.

Mike always worked hard maintaining their home and yard, even after a long day at work. He loved planting new bushes or flowers and took pride as the yard became more beautiful each year.

Mike loved playing softball, and for years he was on the church team. He had a fantastic memory for the game. It seemed he could recall almost any play, going back years. Throughout his life, he was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. He loved watching them on television, and in person whenever he could. Although no gourmet, Mike cooked on occasion and was famous for his spaghetti sauce. His famous sauce was always slightly different having a “special secret ingredient” such as Chocolate chips, or peanuts. One time there was cherry Jello powder snuck into the pot! An additional hobby was collecting coins. He was always so excited to receive a package from the US Mint.

Life changed drastically for Mike and Sharon when they were in a severe car accident in February 1986. Sadly, Sharon died as a result of her injuries. Mike was able to recover, but with some lingering issues. Family, neighbors, and friends from their church, helped in countless ways while he was recovering in the hospital for several weeks.

One of those church friends to help Mike during his recovery was Carol Davidson. She became a trusted person for him, and while neither was expecting a relationship to develop, their friendship grew quickly. Mike would often call Carol late at night to talk about the kids, his day, and his “new normal” after the accident. Carol gradually became more involved in the life of Mike and his kids. On July 14, 1990, they were married. En route to their honeymoon in Toronto, Mike coyly noticed the lights at Tiger Stadium and suggested they stop to catch a game. He of course knew full well there was a day game and who was playing! Together with Carol, they continued raising the children in the family home. Mike found work as a maintenance carpenter at East Grand Rapids schools. This was a great fit as he was talented when it came to fixing things and working on various projects around the district. As the grandchildren came along, Mike loved seeing them when he could and talking with them on the phone.

As his health setbacks became more of his everyday life, Mike continued doing what he could. With Carol’s help he was able to get out of the house. Mike especially liked getting together with friends from South High at Marge’s Donut Den. Although he wasn’t one to stand out in a social setting he always found a way to join in with the group. Mike particularly loved going to the Bethlehem Intergenerational Center, where he enjoyed being part of that community and revealed a gift he had for holding and calming down fussy babies. When home, he loved watching television. He especially enjoyed watching sports, sci-fi, horror, and movies with slapstick comedy like Home Alone or Blazing Saddles.

Although he sometimes seemed to have a tough exterior, Mike Liebert was one of the sweetest people. He was kind and generous with a fun-loving, corny side that made him so much fun to be around. Mike’s love for his family was unmatched, and he was the sort of person who would do whatever he could for someone else. Deeply loved, Mike will be forever missed.

Michael D Liebert, age 72 of Grand Rapids, passed away May 6, 2019. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Gustave and Carrie Liebert; his wife, Sharon (Oosting); and sisters Beverly Lowe and Laura Vanderroest. Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 29 years, Carol (Davidson); his children Troy Liebert, Christine (Andrew) Weishar, Adam Liebert (Scott Hostetler); grandchildren Alexa and Colin Weishar; brother, Karl (Judy) Liebert as well as several nieces and nephews. His Life Celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 4 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 250 Commerce Ave SW where friends may visit with his family for one hour prior to the service and for a time immediatley after the service during refreshements. Mike’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to either Bethlehem Intergenerational Center or Hope Lodge. To read more about Mike’s life, to share a favorite memory or to sign his guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com

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