George Michael ‘Mike’ Chaudoir

ESCANABA — George Michael “Mike” Chaudoir, 79, of Escanaba, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois.

He was born on August 23, 1944, in Hammond, Indiana, the son of George and Christine (Meixensperger) Chaudoir. Mike graduated from Holy Name High School in Escanaba in 1962 and remained a lifelong resident of this community.

Mike was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War in 1968 and served proudly until 1970. As a tribute to his military service, it was a great privilege for him to be a part of Mission XIX of U.P. Honor Flight in September 2022.

Shortly after his military service, while working at the Red Owl, he met his future wife, Gayle, who worked there as well. They were married on September 24, 1971 at St. Anne’s Church in Escanaba. Together, they shared 50 years of marriage, prior to Gayle’s passing in January 2022.

Mike spent most of his career in the grocery business, traveling throughout the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Most recently, he was a sales representative with Advantage Sales & Marketing for 30 years, prior to his retirement in 2017.

Mike adored his grandchildren and traveled frequently to attend their sporting events and other activities. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and season ticketholder, and also enjoyed watching golf, hockey (Detroit Red Wings), and college football (Michigan Wolverines). In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling league at Bowl-a-Rama, golf league at Highland Golf Club, and golf tournaments locally and across the U.P. with family and friends. Mike was also a lifetime member of the Escanaba Elks Club.

Mike is survived by children, Scott (Lisa) Chaudoir of Rockford, Mich. and Mikki (Steve) Devine-Vance of Antioch, Ill.; grandchildren, Brendan and Anna Chaudoir and Cassidy and Connor Devine; sister, Pat (Rich) Salo; brothers-in-law, Bob (Audrey) Lauscher, Mike (Elaine) Lauscher, Terry (Mary Jo) Lauscher, Gary (Liz) Lauscher, Don (Kim) Lauscher, Brian (Lori) Lauscher, Mick (Cheryl) Lauscher, Joe (Marilyn) Lauscher, Randy (John) Lauscher, and Dennis Livermore; sisters-in-law, Jan (Mark) Depuydt, Char Koontz, Patti (Phil) Anderson, Cheryl (Buck) Nelson, and Mary Kay (Orv) Lantagne; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Gayle, he was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Carole Nelson and Mary Livermore; father and mother in-law, Milton and Dolores Lauscher; brother in-law, Greg Koontz; niece, Jenny Livermore; and nephew, Justin Nelson.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 20 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The funeral service will follow at noon with Rev. Fran DeGroot officiating. Military honors and burial will take place at a later date in the Perkins Cemetery.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the U.P. Honor Flight in Mike’s name.

A special thanks to our family, friends and neighbors for all of the support since Gayle’s passing two years ago; especially, Rich and Pat Salo, Mark and Jan Depuydt, Don and Kim Lauscher, Jack and Sharon Mellinger, and Steve Menard and the entire Rosy’s Diner coffee crew.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.

The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the Chaudoir family.