Michael Edward Ouwerkerk, 79, of Traverse City died Tuesday, November 05, 2013 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.

Michael was born on Thursday, May 17, 1934 to the late Michael and Marie (Klein) Ouwerkerk in Grosse Pointe. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Detroit and then continued his education, earning a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University. On Sautrday, September 10, 1955, he married the former Loretta Mae Carlson at St. Wenceslaus Church, Gills Pier.

A certified public accountant, he was in private practice for 13 years prior to becoming the chief financial officer for NMC, a position he held for 23 years. He then worked as the controller for Oakland Community College, a position he held for six years, retiring in 1998. An avid golfer, Mike was a member of the Elks golf league, the Crown and the Men's Club League in Green Valley, Arizona. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, served on the board of the East Traverse Catholic Credit Union for many years, served on the Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation Board and was a charter member of the morning Kiwanis Club. He also enjoyed "barbershopping" with the Cherry Capital Chorus in years past. Mike was a longtime member of St. Francis Catholic Parish.

Mike is survived by his wife Loretta; his daughters, Pamela (David) Brown of Houston, TX; Michelle "Mickie" (Timothy) Moeggenberg of Traverse City; grandchildren, Kara (David) Classens of Traverse City, Ashley (Dominic) Fortuna of Rapid City, Jessica (Jessie) Everett of San Antonio, TX, Dane (Ingrid Messing) Moeggenberg of Eugene, OR and six great grandchildren, Beau, Greta and Marcella Classens, Domenico and Luciano Fortuna and Ryan Brown. Mike was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Mike will take place at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 4 until 7:30 PM with the Rosary being prayed at 7 PM , led by Mike's son in law, Tim Moeggenberg. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at St. Francis Catholic Church with the Rev. Father Kenneth Stachnik officiating. Friends may visitat at the church from 10:30 am until the time of the Mass. Entombment will take place at Oakwood Catholic Dicosean Cemetery at a later date.

The family suggests that memorial contributions in Mike's memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to the Elks Scholarship Program.

Please share your thoughts and memories with Mike's family by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.