Larry E. Michael

Larry E. “Grumpy” Michael, 89, of Highland, IL, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at home, surrounded by family.

He was born on February 1, 1937, in Napoleon, OH, to Guy and Adeline (nee Floehr) Michael. On March 8, 1958, he married Frances Tift in Angola, IN.

Larry moved to Highland with his wife, Frances, in December of 1974, from Reading, MI. He served in the United States Army and was a member of the Reading American Legion and the St. Jacob American Legion. Larry was an over the road trucker and all-around handyman. He liked to take things apart and rebuild them, fix cars, go salmon fishing at Lake Huron and in Oscoda, MI, and in his younger years, he raced stock cars. Years ago, he owned a race car that won many races at Butler Motor Speedway in Quincy, MI. Larry was a big-hearted softie who loved to agitate and poke fun at his grandkids and great grandkids. He will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Adeline Michael; father and mother-in-law, Roswell and Hazel Tift; grandson, Ryan Junker; sister, Hope Card; stepbrother, Marlyn Moon; brothers and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Michael, Roger Card, Roger Kaufmann, Dean Tift, Edward Smith, Hilda Smith, and Joyce Tift.

Larry is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances Michael, Highland, IL; children, Danny (Sara) Michael, Reading, MI, Carol (Mark) Junker, Highland, IL, and Diana (James) Williams, Albers, IL; grandchildren, Michael (Megan) Junker, Jared (Amy) Gilomen, and Amanda (Mike) Tobin; great grandchildren, Mikaela, Mabrie, Madden, Merrick, Myles, and Maisie Junker, Mason Junker-Schrumpf, Fletcher Tobin, Avery, Kylee, and Carly Gilomen; siblings, Ladd Michael, Faith Kaufmann, and Lillian (Ken) Lee; sister-in-law, Judy Moon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to Keystone Cemetery in St. Jacob, IL.

Memorial Visitation: Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

A memorial graveside service will be held in Michigan at a later date.

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL