Michael Herbert

Mike passed away Tuesday, November 16, 2021, with his family by his side at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born January 17, 1947 in Kalamazoo, the son of George and Joyce (Wilcox) Herbert. Mike graduated from Plainwell High School in 1965 and from Western Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a master's degree in biology. While finishing school, Mike worked at Simpson Paper Company as a chemist until 1997. He also worked at Crown Vantage Paper, Global Technologies and retired from Wilson Air in 2006. Lovingly known as "Papa Mike" he was a man who saw the best in everyone and cherished his family above everything else. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling, reading, pistol target practice and going on cruises. On December 23, 1967, at the Plainwell Baptist Church he married his high school sweetheart, Kaye Mills who survives. Also surviving are his daughters, Nichole (Kevin) Heil and Andrea (Shawn) Maxwell and 9 grandchildren, Lucas, Isabela, Annabella, Saree, Madeline, Owen, Olivia, Ian and Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his parents. According to his wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may visit with Mike's family starting at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, November 27, 2021 at St. Michael Lutheran Church on Oakland Drive in Portage. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 A.M. A lunch will be served following the service. Burial will take place at St. Margaret Cemetery in Otsego at a later time. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Mike may be made to St. Michael Lutheran School. Messages of condolence may be posted at WinkelFuneralHome.com.