It is with deep sympathy that we send this.
We were neighbors with Mike & Annemarie in the 70's. We always liked Mike and had a good time with him.
We knew Kristen at an early age.
We are so very sorry and will keep him in our memories.
With deepest sympathy,
love,
Gary & Shari Bednarick

Julie and family....
It has been a long time since I have seen you, Julie, but I remember you as my first friend -- from church, to Kenwood, and beyond.
My thoughts are with you and your family -- I know how much your family meant to my parents as well.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Tom

As I think about Mike Townsend's passing, I am reminded of this quote, and I know he is able to say it... RIP

'When I stand before god at the end of my life, I would hope that I will not have a single bit of talent left, and could say 'I used everything you gave me.' - erma bombeck

Thank you everybody for stopping by and paying respects to my father or recalling a story of growing up with him. I've always gotten a kick out of hearing about the old days in Cadillac and his time overseas. This last year has been a rough one but my dad tackled this challenge like he did any other, with strength and determination. We are all better people for getting to spend time with him and I feel great privilege in having had him as my father.

To Mikes family my prayers are with you. I did not know of Mikes health problem, I was shocked to read of his passing, I really did not believe it.
I joined my father in business in 1957, Shag was our printer, thru the years things changed, after 27 years in real estate, I bought out Lou's Printing, well my education started all over. Mike was a friend, competitor and peer, he was always willing to help me. (as well his the whole crew at Cadillac Printing). I almost went in to see him about 10 days ago, regarding my every other year of printing he and the guys and girls did for me, it is going to be hard in May to walk in the shop.
One thing I remember, Mike telling me the story of taking Shag over to the camp in N.E. Michigan, which turned out to be Shags last trip there, the whole story was about love. I am sure those two guys are catching up right now, probably fishing or telling stories.
I pray for Mikes family and extended family, but want you all to know, I am a better person from having the privilege knowing Mike and his father.
"Wayne the Pain"

I came across this very sad news via Bill Shier, another Cass classmate. I lived down the street on Sunset Lane, from where Mike lived in our 6th thru 9th grade years - and especially summers. I would say Mike was the guy I hung around with most in those days. I remember he had an aluminum boat he kept down at the end of his street. Mike was always after his dad to buy him a larger motor, unsuccessfully. We thought racing other boats was high times back in the day. He and I, along with another neighborhood guy, Mike Graham (Michael G, as opposed to Michael T as we referred to them), taught ourselves to water ski, which we did continuously back in the days we weren't expected to have a regular job and were too young to drive. We used a 14 ft aluminum boat with a Merc 22 w. tiller steering. We were so light that the rig would pull us slalom with two in the boat.  I think impressing the girls had something to do with it. We would all pool our lawn cutting money towards another 6 gallon boat gas fill at $2.50. They used a full quart of oil to the 6 gallon gas. Every time I smell that 2 stroke gas/oil smell out of the lake, it brings back those days. Many good memories. I caught a ride with Mike and his dad most mornings to Junior High, as his dad was on his way to the print shop. Mike was a very quiet, friendly guy. I always thought about touching base with him, but like so many other plans, did not. My loss. My memories of him are locked into those endless summer days many years ago.

To the Townsend Family: I would like to express my Deepest Sympathies on learning of the passiing of Mike. Mike and I have known each other since Elementary School at Cass. We graduated together, went on to Ferris State University and both of us served in the US Navy. As an adult working at Cadillac State Bank I dealt with Mike almost on a daily basis for a lot of the Banks printing needs. I would see Mike occasionally at the Meijer Quick Checkout and we would stop and talk for a few minutes. About two years ago I cam across a picture of of Mike and I on the Cass School Track Team in 1960. I made a copy of theat photo and took it in to Cadillac Printing and gave it to him. You should have seen the smile on his face. Mike will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his classmates. "Rest In Peace Dear Friend."

Julie, Jeff and Mary,
I am very sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I will miss waiving across the yards at Mike when I stop at Mom's and seeing him pop into our resort whenever he was in Manistee. Mike helped me immensely along with the rest of the staff at Cad Printing in so many projects at our resort. He always had positive comments, was curious how we were doing and always promoting Cadillac and it tourism business. My memories go way back to the Cadillac CC and golf of course...I know many will miss Mike as I will and the gentleman that he was....With deepest sympathy, Dougie (As Mike always called me)

I started working at Cadillac Printing back in 1957 working in the bindery at the age of 17 and doing anything I was told to do. Shag (Mikes father) went smelt fishing one time and caught a mess of fish that he did not want to clean. I was told to go over to his house and clean them. I set in there drive way on a pail with a pair of scissors cutting off their heads and gutting them out. Mike, who was 7 at the time seen what I was doing and just had to join in. He got the biggest thrill out of cleaning the smelt. I will always remember the smile on his little face. Mike was a kind and thoughtful person and will be missed by many.

Hey Julie;

We were holding things together pretty well until all these things started to come in. I personally have known Mike since your family went to the First Covenant Church. I think that was maybe before you were born. My family knew your family as Swedes in the Cadillac area. I can remember Mike painting a house next door to my family home when I was about sixteen years old. Wow, a whole bunch of sailors on top of my neighbor’s house. Mike and I also shared a grandson called Rogue, from the mating of our Irish setter Rusty to their female Maggie and received a new setter aka Rogue. I have always enjoyed Mikes’ sense of humor and that laugh that always erupted from him when he found something funny. He lives in my memory maybe better than in Bills since I have known him for a much longer time. I would really enjoy getting to know you and Jack better when you are in the area. We always have a place here for you to stay and enjoy the river the way your brother did. Please feel free to stay here when you are up in the North Country.

Love

Marg

"To Those I Love" by Isla Paschal Richardson
If I should ever leave you whom I love to go along the silent way,grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you. (i'd come...I'd come, could I but find a way! But would not tears and greif be barriers?) And when you hear a song or see a bird I loved, please do not let the thought of me be sad....  for I am loving you just as I always have...you were so good to me! There are so many things I wanted still to do...so many things to say to you. Remember that I did not fear- it was just leaving you that was so hard to face. We cannot see beyond, but this I know. I loved you so- T'was heavin here with you!

Dear Townsends...neighbors...friends. I'm so saddened to learn of Mike's passing...but thankful to know he was a peace. I loved being around Mike...generous, kind, helpful, always always with a smile or a laugh. As kids...he was the older neighborhood boy who hung with Ricky Powell - but always smiled and waved. Later...we worked together on many projects. Once...I spent 24 hours at Cadillac Printing on a brochure project - he and Renata Olson were so very kind and helpful - sticking with me to get it "just right". Mike you will be missed my friend. You were a great neighbor - son, brother and friend. Rest peacefully....and God bless you

Mike will be missed, but never forgotten. His laughter will always be an echo in our heart,our head and our home. We were luckier than most to have been able to spend a great steelhead season with him as our neighbor, and as a long time friend. Fish on ol' friend, Fish on.

Dearest Townsends, It was OUR pleasure to know Mike. What a kind man. We loved his laugh and sense of humor. It was such a pleasure to be able to spend time with you all this summer. When I think of Mike, I will think of all the kindness he extended to us after Alex died. He always had a kind word for everyone he encountered. Of course, we hold dear: Pasture golf and all the laughing and memories that entailed. Dearest Julie, as I told you, we love the Paschal quote. Mike, fly free in heaven...know that we all miss you. All I can imagine is that there is unlimited fishing in heaven...all over the "world" and beyond. Rest in peace and know you are loved and remembered. Please give Alex a hug for us and take him fishing. All our love, PK and Tom Harrison