Pearl Michel

Pearl E. Michel, 88, of 534 E. South St., Chippewa Falls died Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at her residence under the care of St. Joseph's Hospice.

She was born January 6, 1923 in Eau Claire to Gladys (Metzenbaugher) and Edward Miller.

She served in the U.S. Navy Waves Hospital Corps during WW II from April 16, 1943 until being honorably discharged, ranked as Pharmacist's Mate, on September 18, 1945.

Pearl married Sam Crawford in 1945 at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, Maryland. Sam passed away in January 1960. She then married Eugene Michel on June 27, 1964 in Chippewa Falls.

She was employed as an aide at both St. Joseph's Hospital and the Northern Center for the Developmentally Disabled for 22 years. After her retirement, she volunteered at St. Joseph's Hospital and every year at the EAA Air Show in Oshkosh. She enjoyed traveling and had been to Florida, Texas, Arizona, Las Vegas and Kentucky.

Pearl liked doing crossword puzzles, camping, baking and caring for her family and home. She was a good friend and neighbor. Her children thought of her as a world class cook.

She was a member of the Chippewa Falls American Legion Post #77.

Survivors include: two daughters, Gayle (Spencer) Holter of Rochester, MN, Becky (Carl Wicklund) Crawford of Nicholasville, KY; a son, Sam (Cheryl) Crawford of Chippewa Falls; a brother, Irvin (Elaine) Miller of North Lake, IL; six grandchildren, Kimberly Holter of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Christopher Holter of Rochester, MN, Lisa (Rob) Steele of Holcombe, Justin Crawford of Chippewa Falls, Eli Wicklund of Oxford, OH, Callie Wicklund of Nicholasville, KY; two great-grandsons, David Allen Steele and Gage Wayne Steele; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husbands, Sam Crawford in January 1960 and Eugene Michel in January 1995; a sister, Mae Miller and a brother, Morris Miller.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 18 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Robert Hoekstra officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, November 17 at the funeral chapel and one hour prior to the service Friday morning.

Contributions in Pearl's memory may be directed to the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.


Afterservice

A funeral service for Pearl E. Michel, 88, of Chippewa Falls was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 18 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Robert Hoekstra officiated and music was provided by Judy Brist. Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery. Chippewa Falls with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council and Cassandra Webber bugled taps.

Casket bearers were: Carl and Eli Wicklund, Spencer and Christopher Holter, Sam and Justin Crawford.

In honor of Pearl's service in the U.S. Navy, the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council paid tribute with a military walk through on Thursday evening.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls is serving the family.