Michael S. Conway

Michael S. Conway was a soft-spoken man with a big heart. He was intelligent and talented and used his skills in a variety of ways. Most importantly, Michael was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, willing to help his loved ones in any way he could.

The year 1941 is most often remembered for the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. President Franklin Roosevelt gave his "Four Freedoms" speech, and as the United States geared up for war, protest songs were being sung and moviegoers were laughing at the antics of Abbott and Costello in "Buck Privates." For Daniel and Ruth (Benson) Conway, life in Crandon, Wisconsin was filled with days of delight and new adventures as they welcomed the birth of their son, Michael, on March 28, 1941. He was the oldest of five children and always kept a protective eye on his three sisters, Linda, Myrna and Sonja, and brother, Daniel.

Michael's father worked hard to support his large family as an accountant, while his mother was a homemaker, caring for the needs of the family. Michael enjoyed a typical childhood and took tap dancing lessons as a young boy. In his adolescence, his family moved to Milwaukee, where he finished his education. It was during this time that Michael sported a more rebellious attitude, wearing his hair long even after the principal asked him to cut it. Despite his defiant stance, Michael was very smart, particularly with mechanics. After high school, Michael and his cousin, Scott, whom he was very close to all his life, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force together. Michael specialized in heating and cooling and finished the top of his class. With training complete, he chose to be stationed in Alaska until his honorable discharge in 1969.

Upon his return home, Michael began working in construction and soon married and had three wonderful children, Debbie, Linda and Michael. The marriage ended in 1971. Then, while working in Northport, Michigan, Michael stopped by a local bar and met Geri Wayashe. The two began talking and a friendship quickly developed. Geri was captivated by Michael's beautiful blue eyes and knew he was truly her "soul mate." From there, she said, things just "evolved" and they were happily married on October 21, 1971, in Hudsonville, Michigan. When Michael and Geri wed, they not only merged their lives, but also their two families as Michael had 3 children and Geri had 2 daughters, Alicia and Melonie. The couple soon had a child of their own, daughter Sammi, who completed the Conway family.

It was no secret that Michael was an excellent father. He always wanted to spend time with his children and stayed active in all of their lives. A tinker by nature, Michael enjoyed teaching his kids how to fix things by clearly explaining the hows and whys of doing it. He helped them with their homework and as the "old softy" in the house, the kids knew to go to him if they wanted something. His daughter Sammi especially remembers as a little girl, walking on top of the fence holding fast to her father's hands for security and playing for hours on the playground. Michael never left anyone out and always made each of his kids feel special. He liked taking the kids swimming in the lake and threw each of them in - he loved to joke around and have fun. His fun-loving antics spurred another great memory for the family of Michael chasing Geri around the house with a cup of water to get her back for the one she threw on him.

During this time, Michael worked as a sheet maker at Certified Sheet Metal and was a proud member of the Local #7. He retired on October 17, 2001. In his leisure time, Michael could always be found in the basement or garage tinkering, fixing or building something. Until 1995, he never had to take a car to the mechanics because he could fix the problem - that was until everything became so computerized. Michael and Geri were both big Video Poker players and loved to go "casinoing" together. Michael said if the machine talked to him that was the one he played. That worked once when he talked into a casino, put in a couple of quarters and walked away with $1,000. After that, the couple agreed that if either of them won $10,000, they would split it, but it never happened. Michael was pretty much a homebody and didn't really visit anyone. He figured if they wanted to see him, they would come over. He was pretty quiet natured around people until he got to know them, and usually talked over the end of his glasses. Michael liked to get you're dander up with his dry, albeit humorous wit. In the comforts of his home, he liked listening to country music, especially the Highwaymen, or reading a book, mostly fictional and only by male authors.

Michael Conway was a very modest man, proud of all his family, yet filled with a wonderful sense of humor. He lent his wit and compassion to everyone around him and in doing so, brightened many lives. He will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Michael S. "Papa" Conway, age 64, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2005. He has gone to join his parents, Daniel and Ruth Conway; his sister, Linda; and daughter, Carlotta. He leaves his wife and best friend, Geri; children: Debbie Wing of Cheboygan, Linda Conway of New York, Michael (Sheila) Conway of New York, Sammi Conway of Grand Rapids, Alicia Rose of Grand Rapids, Melonie Anewishki of Ypsilanti, and Just, Montana and Dones at home; 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, Mryna (Scott) Tompter, Sonja (Bill) Michaelis and Daniel Conway all of Wisconsin; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. NW. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in Michael's memory.