Fowlerville News and Views Online

Michael B. Recker (MR)

    Michael B. (MR)  Recker, 77, of Sun City West, Arizona, died May 7, 2020 following a lingering illness. Born (Thanksgiving Day) November 26, 1942 in Detroit to Bernard ‘Bud’ and Bernice ‘Bunny’ (Joly) Recker.
   Mike spent his early years in the greater Detroit area. Moving to Howell, he attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Howell High. The family relocated to Bay City where Mike graduated from Bay City Central—Class of 1962.
   As a young boy Mike loved baseball. He enjoyed telling the story of mowing the yard of Detroit Tiger great Al Kaline when Kaline first became a Detroit Tiger. In Howell Little League, Mike had the distinction of throwing out the first pitch at the “new” Paul Bennett Field that is still in use. One summer, he also played AAA with another Detroit Tiger great, Willie Horton.
   In 1970, Mike joined the Livingston County Sheriff Department. In 1974, he received a Medal & Citation for Valor and Bravery and in 1976, he was selected Officer of the Year. During this tenure he was a member of the MSP undercover narcotics team (WANT). Mike also served on the Fowlerville Village Council, and he was named one of the Michigan Jaycees’ Top Five ‘Outstanding Young Men in Michigan’ in 1978.
   In the 1980’s, Mike joined the Washtenaw County Sheriff Department as a Sergeant in charge of Jail Operations. While with the WCSD, he enjoyed being a member of the security detail for  University of Michigan football coach, Bo Schembechler. Following his retirmenet from the WCSD, Mike worked for five years in Corrections with the Maricopa County Sheriff Department in Arizona.
    Mike is survived by wife Susan, son Edward Fortin (Kari) of Ohio, and daughter Trudy (Jimi) May of Howell, 2 stepdaughters, 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, various cousins, and friends in Michigan and Arizona.
   He was predeceased by his parents and son, Troy (2007). 
    No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation has taken placee. Memorials in Mike’s name may be made to Hospice of the Vally at www.hov.org.