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J. Michael Zelley
Born: 12/6/1943
Died: 6/27/2022
Age: 78
Community: Grand Blanc, MI
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ZELLEY, J. MICHAEL – Of Grand Blanc, age 78, died Monday, June 27, 2022 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Mike was born in Flint on December 6, 1943, to the late LeRoy Zelley and Margaret (Gallagher) Zelley. Mike was educated in Flint Parochial Schools, attending Holy Redeemer and St. Agnes before transferring to St. Mary’s High School, where he was named 1st Team All-Parochial League quarterback and received the Downtown Optimist Club Award. While attending St. Mary’s, Mike met the love of his life and future wife, Lana Hamilton.
Mike was involved in the family business, Zelley Funeral Home, which was founded by his father and later operated by his mother and younger brother, Joseph Zelley. This is where Mike developed his life-long passion for service towards others when, at age 14, Mike began driving an ambulance for Zelley and responding to emergency calls.
Mike graduated St. Mary’s in 1961 and pursued his education at Crosier College Seminary in Syracuse, Indiana. A faithful servant of God, Mike deeply considered a call to the Priesthood. Ultimately, Mike’s vocation was to be a devoted husband and father of seven children.
Mike married Lana in 1964 and began a successful business career at Genesee Bank & Trust, General Motors, and SecureData. In 1979, Mike was involved in a single-vehicle automobile accident which resulted in paralysis from the chest down. Mike used a wheelchair and continued his career earning positions of Director of Marketing, Senior Vice President, and Executive Board Member.
In 1989, Mike followed his passion for service and founded The Disability Network, a private non-profit, advocacy organization serving thousands of individuals with disabilities. Mike was a nationally respected leader appointed by both President Clinton and President Bush to national councils. Governors Engler, Granholm, and Snyder appointed Mike to several boards, including the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, where he was elected Chairman. Mike served on countless community boards including Mass Transit Authority, Flint and Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Mott Community College, Michigan Legal Services, Michigan Works, and Disability Network Michigan. Mike was responsible for many policy changes that benefited millions of people with disabilities. Mike retired in 2017.
Mike’s great compassion and unwavering faith influenced everything he did. Among his many Faithful endeavors, Mike was an active member of Holy Family Parish, where he served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, where he was a past Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A man of prayer, Mike firmly believed all people were deserving of God’s love.
Mike enjoyed painting, drive-in movies, and playing guitar at family sing-a-longs. Those who engaged Mike in conversation noticed his inquisitive nature and his positive, encouraging spirit. Mike absolutely loved his children and was quick to share a proud Dad story with great pride and a smile. Mike and Lana felt great wealth in the moments spent dancing at family weddings, praying the Rosary, watching boats in Charlevoix, and laughing with family and friends. Mike’s inspirational wisdom, contagious laughter, and dedication to community will be missed.
The family would like to thank Mike’s friend and nurse case manager, Melissa Bishop, and Dr. James Walker, II, for their dedication to Mike’s care and all those who prayed for him.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brothers LeRoy Zelley and Glenn Zelley, Brothers-in-Law, Sam Hamilton, Jerry Hamilton, Thomas Goyette, Mickey Hamilton, and Sisters-in-law Rosie Hamilton, Mary Pat Hamilton, and Sandy Hamilton.
Mike is survived by his wife, Lana, 7 children Neil (Carrie) Zelley, Jodi (Dan) Millon, Jill (Brian) Jacobs, Luke Zelley, Mark (Karen) Zelley, Michael Zelley, and Matt (Kelsey) Zelley, 30 grandchildren Amber (Jason) Tower, Andrew (Amanda) Zelley, Nicholas Zelley, Patrick (Kacie) Sordyl, Mary Sordyl, Paul Millon, Rachael Millon, Luke Jacobs, Kasey (Keagan) Miller, Monica (Austin Bass) Jacobs, Alana Jacobs, Maggie Jacobs, Sammy Jacobs, Dean Jacobs, Rachel Zelley, Gary Zelley, Kate Zelley, Colin Zelley, Carson Zelley, John Lincoln Zelley, Sydney Zelley, Lily Zelley, Caleb Zelley, Jonah Zelley, Julia Zelley, Leo Zelley, Fiona Zelley, Cecilia Zelley, Jack Zelley, and Riley Zelley, 8 Great Grandchildren Xavier Tower, Elijah Tower, Emilia Tower, Kinley Zelley, Jason Douglas Sordyl, Theodore Miller, Josephine Miller, Expected Baby Girl Sordyl, brother Joseph (Beth) Zelley, Sister Laurie (Ken) Spangler, and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Father Joseph J. Krupp and Father Leronio Vodivodi con-celebrating. A Reception Luncheon will follow the Funeral Mass at the Father Bush Parish Center.
Burial in New Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2022 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Zelley will be at the church from 9 a.m. Friday until the time of the Mass.
Please do not send flowers. Contributions may be directed to the Disability Network, Crossover Outreach or a charity of one’s choice.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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Copyright © 2025 Direct Obits, LLC
| Visitation |
| Date: |
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7/7/2022 |
| Time: |
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1:00 PM |
| Visitation 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2022 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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7/8/2022 |
| Time: |
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10:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Holy Family Catholic Church
11804 South Saginaw Street
Grand Blanc, MI 48439Get a Map to this location...
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