Michael Howard Hipes

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Michael Howard Hipes, 70, Mayville, Mich., passed away Dec. 7, 2009 at Bay Regional Medical Center in Bay City, Mich.

He was born on March 28, 1939, in Sikeston, Mo., and raised in Harrisburg.

Mike was a journeyman technician in the IBEW Local 517. He was employed with General Motors and was elected as an alt-committeeman for Local 653. He served his country as a communication specialist in the Air Force and was a past master in the Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan. Mike was also an avid coon hunter and sportsman.

Left to cherish his memory are wife, Joy (Gotwalt); mother, Sybil and dad, Joseph Knight of Harrisburg (Mike said he was blessed to have a second father); sister, Christine (Hipes) Dolezal of California; sons, Howard (Glenda) Hipes of North Branch, Mich. and Gerald (Jaclyn) Langford of Mayville, Mich.; daughters, Elizabeth (Steve) Rayba of Brown City, Mich., Kimberly (Vincent) Okony of Caro, Mich. and Sherrill Langford of Davison, Mich.; his grandchildren, Michael, Melissa, Megan, Zachary, Bethany, Andrew, Aaron, Ally and Bradley; and great-grandchildren, Hunter, Piercyn and Michael.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Howard George Hipes; sister, Margaret (Hipes) Normington; and daughter, Sybil Rebecca Hipes.

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and no visitation or services are scheduled at this time. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Penzien-Steele Funeral Home, 149 N. Main St. in Vassar, Mich. In lieu of flowers contributions may be directed to Mike's family.