Surrounded by the love of his family, Wayne Franklin Michael, 89, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, following a one-year battle with cancer. He leaves his beloved wife of 68 years, Beverly (Fritz) Michael; a son, Dale Michael; a daughter, Ginny (Michael) Bidleman; son-in-law, Sam Bidleman; his grandson, Cade Bidleman; and many close friends. A son, Jeffrey, preceded Wayne in death.
Wayne, a lifelong resident of Beaver Township, was born on December 4, 1928, and raised in Shumans, PA, the son of Benjamin and Lulu (Witmer) Michael. Following graduation from Beaver Township High School, Class of 1946, Wayne was employed by the Tide Water Pipe Company. In 1954, he started working for GLF, which became Agway Petroleum.
Wayne retired in 1984 as manager of the Agway Petroleum plant in Bloomsburg, a career filled with the pride he had in his employees and with the friends made during his time with Agway. After retirement, Wayne kept busy driving school bus and as a delivery driver for Precision Arts and Photo in Berwick. In 1993, Wayne and Beverly began traveling by RV throughout the US and Canada, settling down in their Bradenton, FL winter home where they made many new friends.
Wayne was a member of the Beaver Township School Board when an educational jointure was formed and the current Bloomsburg High School was built. He was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ and served in the parish consistory for many years. He was also a member of the choir and was in charge of the coffee service at every “all you can eat” ham and turkey church dinner.
Throughout his life, Wayne always made time for his customers, his family, his neighbors, his friends, and his church. He could fix anything and had a passion for stray animals, which he fed with scraps from the family table. Wayne was a talented and loving man who averted many plumbing/heating disasters and saved quite a few dogs and cats.
He enjoyed diner breakfasts, mowing his lawn, and holiday meals, but his true loves were quiet evenings with his wife and outings with his family. At the request of the family, there will be no visitation and flowers will be provided. They also want to share their appreciation to the staffs of Geisinger’s Hematology and Oncology department and Home Health and Hospice for their professional and loving care.
Wayne’s memorial service will be held beginning at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 21, 2018, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 114 Beaver Valley Road, Bloomsburg with pastors Dwayne Nichols and Rev. Christine Kirchner officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Peter’s Union Church c/o Betty Tretter, 902 Hill Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard c/o Martha Sheehe, 312 Iron Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. (West), 1265 Rock Glen Road, Rock Glen is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be entered and more information is available at www.
harmanfuneral.com.
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