Michael "Mike" Meade

Wetmore

 Michael E. Meade, age 77, of Wetmore, died Sunday, September 22, 2024 at UPHS Marquette following a brief illness. Mike was born on December 30, 1946 in Tecumseh, Michigan to the late James and Virginia (Millner) Mead. In his younger years Mike and his family would vacation in U.P. every summer, and it was then he fell in love with the area that he later called home. Mike graduated from Tecumseh High School before entering into the United States Marine Corps. Mike served in the Marines from 1966-1968 and was stationed at Camp Lejeune. He attended the University of Michigan for two years and was a lifelong Wolverine Fan. Mike was a master carpenter, a trait he learned by working alongside his Grandpa Millner. He owned Crabtree Carpentry and ran his business for twenty years living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He worked on the Silver Dollar Bar, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and many other iconic buildings and projects in Jackson Hole. Mike moved out west to live his life as a cowboy, and a cowboy he was. He packed hunters up and down the mountains with his horse and mule teams, and he was a director of the Jackson Hole Town Square Shootout. This tradition has been going for over 65 years, and “Mean Mike Meade” as he was known was part of this daily show, riding his horse into town with his pistol drawn to entertain the visitors of Jackson Hole. Mike moved to the UP in 1996 and worked with Bobby Downs at 5 Mile Point Builders and then later on with Deisenroths at North Bay Builders until he retired in 2019. Not only was Mike an excellent craftsman and superb trim carpenter, he shop produced many custom items from kitchen cabinets, to bath vanities, entry door units, interior door sets, dining room tables, and bar tops. Mike married Val Dubiel on June 20, 2015. They enjoyed fishing and camping at Red Jack, Council Lake, and their yearly camping trip to Copper Harbor. Mike was a member of the Munising Moose Lodge and years ago helped as Santa. 

 He is survived by his wife – Val Meade of Wetmore; daughters – Amanda Meade and Megan Meade; stepchildren – Kimberly Marino, Christopher (Heidi) Marino, and Steve (Cora) Marino; grandchildren – Izzy, Colton, Craig Jr., Trey, Alexis, Tyler, Michaela, Maddison, Breeana, and Chayanne; and brother – Richard (Deloris) Meade. Mike was preceded in death by his parents James and Virginia.

Military Honors will be rendered by the Alger County Veterans Honor Guard on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 1:00p.m. at the All Veterans Memorial in Bayshore Park.  Following the Military Honors everyone is invited to the Barge Inn to share stories and memories of Mike.