Michael Albert Hazen

WATERSMEET, Mich. - Michael "Mike" Albert Hazen passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family and close friends on the evening of Sept. 28, 2014, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Mike was born on April 17, 1946, in Watersmeet, to Margaret and Chester "Jack" Hazen.

He attended both Holy Childhood Catholic Boarding School in Harbor Springs and Watersmeet Township School in Watersmeet. In 1963 at age 17, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served until 1966. He attended boot camp in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and spent a majority of his time served stationed in Meins, Germany. Following his military service, Mike went on to attend Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wis., where he earned a certificate in forestry.

Mike dedicated his life to the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. First, he worked as a tribal resource developer, and later went on to establish the Lac Vieux Desert Police Department. As Lac Vieux Desert's first police officer, he graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Marana, Ariz., on June 26, 1987.

Captain Hazen also attended Advanced Police Management and Administration training at FLETC in 1992. In addition, he completed criminal investigator training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga., in 1993, and FBI Command College in Quantico, Va., in 1998. He later went on to initiate the process of cross-deputization with the Gogebic County Sheriff's Department. Once enacted, this allowed for increased police protection for Gogebic County and its citizens. In 2005, Captain Hazen was awarded a Distinguished Service medal by the Michigan Sheriffs' Association for exemplary courage in the line of duty.

Mike also served on the Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Council for more than 20 years, during which time he actively lobbied to gain federal recognition for Lac Vieux Desert. This recognition was crucial in creating and securing grants for essential new programs and services.

Mike was not only a public servant to his tribe and his country but to his township and his county as well. He was appointed by Gov. John Engler to the Gogebic County Social Services Board from 1987-94, was a member of the Michigan Indian Law Enforcement Organization (MILO), the Gogebic Community College Foundation Board, the Watersmeet Township Zoning Board of Appeals, the Gogebic County 911 Board, the Lac Vieux Desert Emergency Response Team, the National Police Chiefs Association, the Michigan Police Chiefs Association and a proud member of the Watersmeeet American Legion Post 417.

Mike served on the Watersmeet Township School Board, both as a trustee and board president. He was very modest about his contributions to his community but his list of accomplishments, awards and commendations is extraordinary. Among these, the one he was most proud of and displayed in his home was the Hero of the Year award presented to him by the Watersmeet Asset Team in 2001. What Mike was most passionate about in his community was its children and their education.

Mike was a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a leader and a hero to those he worked with and worked for. Mike lived his life in service to others, believed in his community and put that belief to work each day through ideas, actions, and the laying down of his life to make the place he called home a better and more secure place to live. He worked hard and played hard. He was loyal and forged life-long relationships, spending time with his family and friends golfing, playing cards, hunting, reading, playing with his grandkids, and listening to classic country music, especially George Jones.

He is survived by his siblings, Margaret Haapala (William), Roberta Blair (Leslie), Robert "Bobby" Hazen Sr. (Bonnie) and J. "Bunky" Hazen (Henrietta); his wife, Joyce Hazen; his children, Michael "Mike Jr." Hazen, Michelle "Shelly" Hazen, Alina Shively (Alan), Yolanda Hazen and Jack Hazen; his grandchildren, Marissa Burke, Michaela Burke, Maurice Shively II, Kara Hazen, Brock Shively, Blake Shively, Aili Ellsworth, Colton Hazen, Dakota Young, Blessing Shively and soon-to-be grandson Drury.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Margaret Hazen; and his siblings Chester "Jackie" Hazen, LeRoy Hazen, Franklin "Bum" Hazen and Patrick "Hank" Hazen.

Friends are invited to gather in the bingo hall at Lac Vieux Desert Resort and Casino in Watersmeet on Wednesday, Oct. 1, beginning at 5 p.m. CDT.

Visitation will continue on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 9:30-11 a.m. CDT in the bingo hall at Lac Vieux Desert, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., with the Revs. George Maki, pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watersmeet and Chips C. Paulson, pastor of Manitowish Waters (Wis.) Community Presbyterian Church officiating.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Watersmeet Township Cemetery, with a military graveside service under the auspices of the Watersmeet American Legion Post 417.

Pallbearers will be Roger Kratz, Dave Pawlowski, Mike Trapp, Steve Roth, Bob Alexander and Matt McIntee.

A traditional feast will take place afterward.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Chapel, Wakefield, Jerald Rocco, owner-manager. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.