Michael John Loar
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael John Loar on August 6, 2024 at the age of 72. Mike was born on February 8, 1952 in Gladwin to Leo and Bernadine (Edgar) Loar. Mike was the youngest of nine children.
He grew up on the farm where he learned his hard work ethic from his father Leo. Mike grew up to be a man of great integrity. His character was characterized by honesty, modesty, reliability and loyalty. He was very disciplined and self-motivated.
Mike loved helping people throughout his life. He helped his family, his community, his neighbors, and his friends. When you needed help, you could always count on Mike to be there to lend a hand. He was a friend to many, and those who knew him were grateful to have known him. He made you want to be a better person just by being in his presence.
Mike graduated from Beaverton High School in 1970. He was a legend on the football field in Beaverton.
Mike was considered the best football player to ever play in his hometown. He was coached by a man he loved and respected very much, Coach Dick Vanwieran, also known as Coach Van. Mike was selected to the 1st team All State in 1969 for his performance on the field.
He then attended Central Michigan University and played football for the Chips. Mike was inducted into the Beaverton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
Mike’s greatest purpose in life was to become a father to three children: Chet, Jennifer and Stephanie. He was a grandfather to Caiden, Reagan, Jenna, Brady and Brendan – all of whom he loved more than anything.
In 1995, Mike met Lori.
They spent 29 wonderful years together. They enjoyed life with their fur babies: Snoopy, Mittens and Sassy. Mike had many passions in life. He loved playing Euchre and Spades.
There was nothing better than a Loar card party. He enjoyed playing sports, including soccer, softball, volleyball, and golf. In the spring, he enjoyed tapping his trees and making maple syrup.
Many people enjoyed his annual delivery of Mike’s maple syrup. He also enjoyed sitting on his tractor and growing vegetables.
His greatest passion was hunting and the outdoors. Mike’s hunting trips took him to Colorado, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Wyoming. He enjoyed hunting raccoons, deer, bobcats, elk, cougars and bears. Mike became a founding member of the Eddy End Hunting Club in 1975.
Mike worked for General Motors, Beaverton Security, and Brown Machine. In 2016, he retired from Brown Machine, where he had demonstrated many years of hard work and leadership.
Mike is survived by his daughter Stephanie (Josh) Armstrong, his partner Lori Sherlock, his five grandchildren Caiden, Reagan, Brady, Jenna and Brendan, his sisters Pat Goodman, Linda Vorce and Judy Miller and his brothers Larry (Pat) Loar, Gary (Barb) Loar and Richard “Dick” (Karen) Loar.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Bernadine, his son Chet Loar, his daughter Jennifer Loar, his sister Evelyn Brady and his brother Harold Loar.
A celebration of life was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home in Gladwin. The wake was open from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Arrangements are in the hands of the Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home. www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com.
