Michael "Mike" Brent Couturier

Michael “Mike” B. Couturier, 62, of Traverse City, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at his home. Mike was born August 22, 1960, at Fort Benning, Georgia, to parents Fred and Adell Couturier. The family lived in Traverse City and Interlochen, Michigan, where he would grow up alongside siblings James “Skip,” Kent, Diana, and Nan. As a young athlete, he participated in baseball, track and field (esp. the pole vault) and football. After graduating in 1979 from Traverse City Senior High School, he completed tech education at Northwestern Michigan College and went on to work as an Auto Body Repairman at Craig’s Body Shop for 39 years. In the winter of 1988, Mike finally caught his future wife after icing down the road where she got her Plymouth Horizon in a snowbank. The successful rescue ultimately led to his May 19, 1990, marriage to Holly (Ryckman) Begley. He became father to her young girls Candy and Niki, and in 1994 they welcomed their son Gabriel. In 1999, Mike joined the Traverse City Police Department Reserves, proudly serving the community until his retirement in 2019. Mike enjoyed bowling and golf and was a lifelong fisherman and hunter. He loved spending time outdoors and spent as much time as possible at “The Property” on Duck Lake and “The Cabin” in Newberry, Michigan. He loved having friends and family join him, always with a fire ready and stories to share. Mike ran the exclusive “Papa’s Day Care” for his beloved grandchildren, as well as neighbor kids Zack, Reagan, and Evan Wheat. He provided them with guidance and freedom to swim, tend garden, practice archery, build forts, hunt, and more all while westerns ran on the TV. Surviving Mike are his loving wife, Holly; children, Candice (Cheney) Schopieray, Niki (Justan Helton) Begley and Gabriel (Kristina) Couturier; grandchildren, Lane Whittaker, Sylvanus and Emby Schopieray; siblings, Skip (Mary) Couturier, Diana McArthur, Nan (Larry) Lewis; nieces and nephews; lifelong neighbors and friends; and constant animal companions, Daisy and Skittles. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Stan Maksimowicz; brother, Kent Couturier; and nephew, Tony Lewis. The family would like to extend appreciation and thanks to Dr. Recchia and the staff at Munson’s Heart Failure Clinic for their care for Mike. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., with an honorary toast at 5:45 p.m., at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Memorial contributions may be directed toward 22 2 None, 5210 E Boardman Rd., South Boardman, Michigan 49680. Kindly share thoughts and memories on Mike’s tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Michael "Mike" Brent Couturier

August 22, 1960 - February 7, 2023