Michael A. "Mike" Cavalier Sr.'s Obituary
Michael “Mike” Antonio Cavalier, Sr., passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, in Muskegon, MI. Born on October 15, 1930, in Muskegon, Mike was the proud son of Italian immigrants, Anna (Muscato) and Dominic Cavalier. From his earliest days, he carried with him a strong sense of family, faith, patriotism, and—of course—a well-timed punchline.
Mike married the love of his life, Darlene Lucille Klasno, on April 3, 1954. Together, they shared 68 beautiful years, raising a family rooted in laughter and loyalty. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and made each role look effortless, often with a joke in his back pocket and a song on his lips.
A proud United States Marine, Mike served in the Korean War after completing advanced combat, infantry, and amphibious training. He saw heavy artillery and mortar fire in combat, experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to his fellow servicemen and women. He remained active in the Marine Corps League, the VFW, and was a dedicated member of the honor guard for military funerals, serving others with dignity and respect long after his time on the battlefield ended.
Mike retired as a sales agent from Prudential Insurance, but his real “career” was making people laugh and feel loved. He was known for his quick wit, bear hugs, and an uncanny ability to remember the lyrics to just about any song. He loved his coffee and donuts, playing cards, and taking drives to the lake or the airport to watch the planes coming in. He sang with joy, played guitar with heart, and served as a cantor and choir member at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Muskegon, where his voice lifted others in faith for decades.
Whether he was sharing coffee and stories with his friends at Whitlow’s, picking out the perfect joke to lighten the mood, or harmonizing with the choir, Mike had a way of making the ordinary feel special.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, parents, Anna and Dominic; siblings Don Cavalier, Nancy Voyt, and Yolanda Falzone; grandson Thomas Dudley; and one angel baby. He is survived by his children Patricia (Jeff) Rotruck, Michael (Judy) Cavalier Jr., Mary (Dale) Brown, Teresa Miller (Alex Sereseroz), and John (Christine) Cavalier; his “adopted” daughter Karrie Lee Kiel; his sisters-in-law Eloda (Dick) Lifer and Gloria Klasno, brother-in-law Robert Voyt, and many special nieces and nephews.
He leaves behind a legacy of laughter and love in his grandchildren Trisha (Mark) McLaurin, Mary Cavalier, Tara (Tony) Hernandez, Jaclyn (Kevin) Wood, Andrea Miller, Jenny (Adam) Simon, Kristen Petrongelli, Stephanie (Rick) Ware, and great-grandchildren Bailey, Joey, Max, Dylan, McKenzie, Mason, Ryder, Ian, Lance, Logan, Noah, and Haven.
A funeral mass to honor Michael’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 19, 2025, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church – Marian Chapel. Visitation with the family will take place one hour prior to the mass. Burial will take place in Pine Hill Cemetery, Fruitport, MI.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Harbor Hospice Foundation, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or the charity of your choice.
Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at https://www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 726-5210
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