Michael Brown, age 81, died on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Mike was a man of integrity and cared deeply for his family, neighbors and community. He was born on August 30,1942, and spent his childhood in the Mount Pleasant and Big Rapids areas. He graduated from Beal City High School in 1960 in a class of 19 students. He met Joanne Andres, a lifelong resident of Big Rapids, and they married on October 6, 1962. Mike attended barber college in Flint, Michigan, following in the occupational footsteps of his grandfather, Ford Brown, and his uncle, Doyle Brown. At Browns Barber Shop in Big Rapids, he worked alongside fellow barber Terry Arnold for 44 years and retired after 50 years. In 1977, Mike started a side business breeding and raising harness racing horses. This deepened his involvement in the Mecosta County Fair, where over the course of 40 years, he was a timing judge for horse races, initiated many facilities improvements and acted as Treasurer. He enjoyed hobbies that took him outside, such as vegetable gardening, making maple syrup, raising quail and fishing. Mike helped establish the Paris Trailblazers Snowmobile Club in Paris and was a lifetime member of the Elks. Mike is survived by his wife Joanne; his son, Steve and daughter-in-law Kay Clancy of Memphis, TN; his daughter, Nora and son-in-law Pat Latta of Asheville, NC; three granddaughters, Genevieve (Megan) and Colleen of Chattanooga, TN and Anna of Chicago, IL; and four siblings, Don of Sparta, NC, Dave and Bill of Mt. Pleasant and Glenda Pohl of Weidman. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Gladys (Bowman) Brown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the City of Big Rapids attention Riverwalk to help maintain and improve this park along the Muskegon River. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 11, 2024 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Big Rapids, the family will greet friends 30 minutes prior at the church. Officiating, Fr. Jegar Fickel. Mike will be laid to rest at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Please leave a condolence, memory, and picture at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Visitation Thursday, July 11, 2024 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM St. Mary Catholic Church 1009 Marion Ave Big Rapids,MI 49307 Memorial Service Thursday, July 11, 2024 11:00 AM St. Mary Catholic Church 1009 Marion Ave Big Rapids,MI 49307