Mike Orlich

WAKEFIELD, Mich. - Mike Orlich, 98, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014.

He was born on Nov. 5, 1915, in Chisholm, Minn., a son of Rade and Milosava (Susnar) Orlich. His family moved to Plymouth Location in Wakefield, when Mike was a young boy. He attended the Plymouth and Wakefield Schools and graduated with the class of 1935.

Mike entered in the U.S. Army during World War II as a heavy duty mechanic and motor inspector, where he served in the European Theatre and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge. Mike was honorably discharged as a technical sergeant and was the recipient of six medals.

On Feb. 12, 1947, Mike was united in marriage to Flora Bugni at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield.

He worked as a mechanic and was the proprietor of City Service Garage in Wakefield and at the Peterson Mine in Bessemer until it closed. Mike then worked on road construction and on the pipeline.

Mike was probably best known as a musician playing tamburitzan music. He formed the Balkan Strings, well-known throughout the area for their music at wedding receptions. Mike later founded and directed the Gogebic Range Tamburitzans. He taught many to play the tambura and performed in several extravaganzas throughout the country.

Mike owned the Balkan Inn in Wakefield for many years, where his band played their music. He was a member of the Tamburitza Association of America, received the Presidential Award and was inducted into the TAA Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1993.

He was also a member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Duluth, Minn., the Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and a life member of the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084. Mike enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers and Green Bay Packers.

He is survived by four daughters, Christine (Gary) Niemi, Brainerd, Minn., Debra (Paul) Syrjala, Antigo, Wis., Kathy (Dr. Robert) DellAngelo, Michigamme, and Michele (Dr. Mark) Stempihar, Wakefield; 10 grandchildren, Mark (Doris) Stempihar, Caryn (Jeff) Myhre, Kelly (Jesse) Tibbetts, Michael (Jessica) Niemi, Steven (Bridget) Syrjala, Alison (Matt) Bakken, Robert (Amanda) Stempihar, Leslie DellAngelo (Andrew Sander), Scott (Robin) Syrjala and Dr. Katie (Dr. Brian) Turner; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Halvorson, Wakefield, and Angie (Ronnie) Zaicek, Vernon, Texas; five brothers, Rudy, Watersmeet, Frank (Virginia), Wauwatosa, Wis., Richard, Los Lunas, N.M., Joe, Milwaukee, and Robert, Wakefield; his sister-in-law, Maureen Orlich, Lake Gogebic; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Antonia Orlich; his beloved wife of 61 years, Flora, on July 5, 2008; a sister, Sophia (Jack) Palmer, two brothers, George (Blanche) and Louis; his brother-in-law, Vernie Halvorson; his sister-in-law, Bonita Orlich; a niece, Diane Hogan; and a nephew, Guy Orlich.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Monday, Oct. 20, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m., at the Wakefield VFW Post 9084, where a funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Fr. Kristijan Petrovich, pastor of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield, with a military graveside service under the auspices of the Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and the Wakefield VFW Post 9084 Honor Guard.

A reception will be held at the VFW following the cemetery service.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Mark Stempihar II, Michael Niemi, Steve Syrjala, Robert Stempihar and Scott Syrjala and his nephew, Gary Orlich.

Memorial contributions in Mike's memory may be made to the American Legion Geroux Post 11, 605 River St., Wakefield MI 49968 or the VFW Post 9084, 107 E. U.S. 2, Wakefield MI 49968.

The family wishes to thank the Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, Wis., for Mike's excellent care and Regional Hospice Services for their compassionate assistance.

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