Michael Oscar Blancher

Michael Oscar Blancher, 82, Houghton Lake, Michigan, died on February 27, 2023 after battling recent health issues. 

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Mass will be held at St James Catholic Church in Houghton Lake on March 25, 2023 at 11:00am. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am-10:30am, where the Rosary will take place. He will be interred at Lake Township Cemetery next to his loving wife, Joann. 

Dad was born in Flint, MI in 1940 to Harriet & Nona Blancher. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1959 & enlisted in the USAF soon after. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, fall color tours & simply working in his yard. He never turned down a good fish fry nor a good card game. No family gathering was without its non-stop Euchre games. He worked 30 years at General Motors Oldsmobile plant, UAW Local 652, retiring to Houghton Lake. He spent many years serving his community including 18 years on the Lake Township Board of Review. He was a faithful member St. James Catholic Church, & was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6548, the Men’s Club, and the church choir. 

He is survived by his sister Nancy (Donald) Finerty of West Branch, his children Roxann (Bobby) Jones of Bedford, TX, Douglas (Debbie) Blancher of Louisville, KY, Michael (Rose) Blancher of Clayton, NC, D’Anne Saul of Las Vegas, NV, Caren (Lynn) Miner of Henderson, MI, Thomas Leaf of Owosso, MI, Michael (June) Leaf of Ovid, MI , James (Linda) Leaf of Elsie, MI, Julie (Jacques) Leaf-Morrell, Darin (Cathy) Leaf of Hastings, MI & Holly (Benjamin) Leaf Rodriguez of Mesa, AZ. Also surviving are 29 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, & 2 great-great grandchildren & many nieces & nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his wife of 41 years, his brother-in-law , & one great-grandchild.

Memorial donations may be made in his honor to St. James Catholic Church or the Knights of Columbus.