Bill Michael - BHS '52

William "Bill" Michael, age 83 of Rockville passed away at his home on Monday, August 7. He was born on January 21, 1934, in Union Township to Clarence "Buss" and Ruth Douglas Michael. 

He was a graduate of Bellmore High School in 1952. 

On January 21, 1977 he married Sheryl Spencer and she survives. 

Also surviving are 5 children: Annettra Michael, Mark Vanderheyden, Lianna (Andy) Willhite and April Lear all of Rockville. Brian (Blair) Vanderheyden of Memphis, TN. 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother Frank "Sonnie" Michael of Rockville; and 3 sisters: Mary Lois Kelch of Crawfordsville, Janet Flock of Lafayette and Ann McCullough of The Village, FL.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, George Michael

He was a farmer all of his life and grew and distributed seed corn for Funk's Seeds in Rockville. Bill, along with his brother, George, co-owned and operated Michael Sales International Harvester Dealership also in Rockville. He served on the Sale Committee for the Parke County 4-H Fair for many years. His hobbies included participating in truck and tractor pulls and he was an avid collector of International tractors and Case IH memorabilia. 

Bill served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was a member of Rockville Elks Lodge #2471, American Legion Post #48, VFW Post #1752 and Parke County Young Farmers. 

The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, August 10, 2017, 11:00 AM at Otterbein United Methodist Church located on SR 59, South of Bellmore with Pastor Lee Reberger, officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Garden Cemetery, Rockville. Visitation is Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at the church from 4:00 -8:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parke County Community Foundation, In memory of Bill Michael, PO Box 276, Rockville, IN 47872