Michael George Stephens

Michael George Stephens "Big Mike' was born October 25, 1938. He passed away peacefully on November 28, 2023 at his home in Berrien Springs, Michigan, after a 6-year battle with cancer; he was 85 years old.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; his 3 Children, Tod (Terry) and their children Madison, Sam; Eric, and Stacy (Bill) McDonald and their son Graham; Mike's sister, Kathleen (Ollie) Gunter, his many nieces and nephews, loyal friends, and extended family. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Colan and Violet Stephens; four brothers, Ronnie and his three brothers and their wives, Fred and Bev, Conrad and Jo, Terry and Iris.

Mike graduated from Edwardsburg High School in 1956 and attended Western Michigan College before he left to serve for eight years in the Army and the Army Reserves. Mike met his love, Sandra Balough, in Berrien Springs on a blind date that led to a beautiful marriage of 63 years. Mike asked her to marry him on the beach of Lake Michigan at our family's beloved place in South Haven. Our families spent many vacations with all his siblings and in the cottages his parents owned. They started their life in Elkhart, and Mike started his career at Selmers in Elkhart, IN, and retired after 44 years. Mike also had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned and operated Big "E" Pizza with his wife Sandra for seven years. He was an avid golfer and bowler and served as American Legion Commander.

After retirement, Mike continued to spend a lot of time on the golf course and loved spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. He loved to have his annual fish fry at our old farmhouse, where we fished out our pond and enjoyed fresh blue gill and catfish. He loved their many relaxing moments on their porch swing. Mike loved his time with his wife down in Florida for the winters, where they would see all their friends from home and make many new friends during their stays.

Big Mike had a big heart and loved life, and we will all miss him dearly but treasure all the beautiful moments we spent with him.

There will be a public visitation on Sunday December 3 from 5-7 at Trinity Lutheran Church at 9123 George Ave., Berrien Springs, Michigan, and the funeral service will be on Monday December 4, starting with a visitation from 10- 11 and the funeral service to begin at 11 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in place of flowers, the family requests donations go to Trinity Lutheran Church or American Legion Post 85 both in Berrien Springs. There will be a luncheon following the service. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs. www.AllredFuneralHome.com