Michael E. Coger

Michael (Mike) Eugen Coger, age 58 of Battle Creek, Passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 21, 2024 at home. Mike was born October 4, 1965 in Battle Creek, MI the 3^rd child, second son to Larry Lee Coger Sr. and Verna Marie Wood. He attended Penfield High School until he moved to Fresno California where he then attended school there. He found his passion in being a security guard in Fresno where he was able to meet lots of people and found joy in his job. He moved back home to Battle Creek in 1992 to be back home with his family. He then started working as maintenance/janitorial work for Kmart as well as roofing with his cousin Ron Wood. He then worked as a painter for his friend John Bradstrom and his father where he was great and found a love for painting. 

 Mike enjoyed fishing, camping, going to the races, mud bogs, time with family and friends, cooking pigs for pig roasts, fixing vehicles, and helping family and friends with any task or job needing done. He spent a lot of time with his sister Kathy until her passing, creating a bond to be proud of. He was always willing to go the extra mile and be there for anyone in need, no matter If he could do it or afford to do it. He would attend every function he could make and strived to make all of them. He would go against the grain and protect, stand up for, help and support anyone he loved or was family or friend. He would make sure anyone hungry was fed, anyone needing a safe place or a bed to sleep in received it, anyone looking for a shower or just someone to listen, you could count on Mike.

He had no biological children, but he sure helped raise so many kids and made sure they knew they were all important. His nieces and nephews were the light of his life. His first loves were Lisa, Frankie and Julio, where he was with in California and cherished the time and bond he made and continued to build so far away. When he moved to Michigan, he built relationships with not only his father Larry, but his brother Larry, and sister Kathy as well as their children Lisa Pennock-Williams, Elizabeth Neal, Travis and John Pennock, Loren and Tonya Coger. He helped in raising his nephews Justin Root and Dylan Wheeler, whom he resided with as well as his niece Kalee and his sister Salina, continuing to help be there for them. Through these bonds he developed some amazing relationships with not only them but his great nieces and nephews. He was a huge part of his great nephew Johnny (Jay) Wood II life, who always made it important to see him and contact him until the day we lost him. He always respected and loved his uncle and showed it, a reflection of the love given and received. He continued spreading his love to the rest as each came along. His great niece Alexis Fraker found her second home his house for many years growing up, preferring to eat and play there than home most the time. He was there for all of them, David (DJ), Hannah, Emma, Chilion, Zippora, Madison, Jackson, Breanna, Loren Jr., Donavin, Nickole, John Jr. (John John), Harmony, Kurstin, Drey, Alyssa, Chloe, Semaj and James. Each and everyone he spoke of with pride and love as he cherished each one.   He absolutely loved Makenzi, Justin (JJ), Ethan, and Ondreas his great niece and nephews he spent the last few years watching them grow from birth. He would share stories recently of Makenzi knocking on his bedroom door every morning asking Uncle Mike for Pickles and noodles and how he loved getting up just for her pickles and Romen noodles. His love never swayed as he was always there for anyone and claimed everyone as family. He was all about the children, he was about them feeling welcome and loved. His love was shown in the way he cared for his ever-growing nieces and nephews he not only had yet claimed and took in. Mikaila, Corban, Kaitlynn, Aleah, little Denis and Alidia were kids he not only welcomed with open arms but helped raise and loved like his own. The reason he never had his own kids is truly believed to be for this reason.

 He spent a lot of time with his Niece Lisa and spoke to her daily, as they were always extremely close, and he was a huge part of her life. They not only were close, however always were there for each other. When Lisa went through a dark time in her life, struggling with addiction and lost in this world, she always had a safe place at her Uncle Mike’s. He would always feed her, let her sleep, let her shower and never judged her. Through his love and support, he helped her gave the help she needed and was a major contributor to her still growing sobriety. He was by her side through every challenge she faced to get on the track she needed to succeed, always believing in her. He was by her side daily after the loss of not only her son, but her mother, his sister. She would do anything for him and through these times there bond was strong. He didn’t care what others thought of anyone, he was there for the ones he loved, and it showed and will continue to show through them.

Mike is survived by his siblings, Larry (Gloria) Coger Jr., Lori Zuniga, and Salina Coger, nephews Justin Root and Dylan Wheeler, Niece Kaylee Robbins, Great niece Makenzi and Great nephew Justin (JJ) several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Kathy Sue (Coger) Pierce, and his great Nephew Johnny (Jay) Allen Wood II. I know he was met with open arms and celebrating with all those who went before us, just waiting for the rest of us to join them when our time has come. 

A memorial service to celebrate Mike's life will be held a later date.  Details will be announced here.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the family.  Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek.  Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.