Michael Woodbury, Sr.

Michael Woodbury, Sr., age 66, of Charlotte passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 27, 2020, at his home.
Michael was born in Lansing on July 12, 1953, the son of the late Willard and Etta (Holton) Gleason. He was raised in the Mulliken and Olivet area and attended local schools. Michael served his country in the United States Army as a sniper in the 21st Armory Division during the Vietnam War, being discharged in 1969. He was married to Marcia (Yeasley) Woodbury for over 13 years, and together they had two children. Michael later met Ms. Ella Ressigue, and the two became best friends and companions for many years before she passed away in 2015. Michael began his working career at Oldsmobile in Lansing where he worked for several years. It was during his time at GM that he became interested in trucking and ventured into over the road truck driving, which he did for over 25 years before retiring.
Michael loved his family, and spending time with them was always something he looked forward to doing. He loved bowling and was on a league for many years with his daughter. During those warm summer days, he enjoyed taking his daughter and granddaughter for rides on the motorcycle trike. Each year, he would ride the trike to the Vermontville Syrup Festival, with the trike’s signature horn announcing his arrival. Michael had an amazing talent to communicate with the small animals around his home. Each day, he would venture onto his back deck, and with a scratch on the door, the squirrel he named “Baby” would eat cookies directly from his hand. He could make a certain sound that the birds would come to as well. Even the woodpecker named “Dum-Dum” knew to go from window to window tapping until he found the room Michael was in and then would await a handful of suet for his reward. Michael was a great cook, and his family would always request him to make his no-recipe sausage gravy, that you just can’t replicate. Michael was a very good neighbor and loved helping whenever and wherever he could. He was involved with the local Amish community, and they became great friends.
He is survived by his daughter, Melinda (Brent) Rozema, four sisters, Nancy (Max) Sampsel, Wanda (Steven) Lahr, Joyce Sweet, Janet (Ronald) Parker, two brothers, Melvin (Beth) Gleason, Russell (Dayle) Gleason, his granddaughter Paige Rozema, and Ms. Ella Ressigue’s many family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved companion Ella Ressigue, his ex-wife Marcia Woodbury, his son Michael Woodbury Jr., and his brother Wesley Woodbury. A memorial service was held at the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville on Sunday, February 2.
Memorial contributions can be made to the family of Michael Woodbury. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home. For further details, visit www.danielsfuneralhome.net.