Michael P. High

Michael High, 68, of Dowagiac passed away on August 3rd from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He passed at home surrounded by the love of his family. He was cherished by his wife, children, and grandchildren 

Michael was born on December 30th, 1957, to Phyllis and Merton High. He grew up in Decatur and went on to work at the family marina, Highs Marine, for 46 years where he earned a well-deserved reputation as a fiercely hard worker who took immense pride in everything, he did.

Outside of work, Mike was a man of vibrant passions and boundless curiosity. A true boat enthusiast, his love for the water extended far beyond his 46 years at the marina. On land, he had a deep passion for motorsports and fast cars—he loved Corvettes, spent years racing his own race car, was a die-hard NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt fan, and held a lifelong thrill for the track and the garage.

He was also an avid sports fan who rarely missed watching a game. He faithfully followed the Los Angeles Rams, the Detroit Tigers, and his beloved Michigan Wolverines through every season, rarely missing a matchup on TV. Settling in to watch his teams play was one of his favorite ways to unwind, bringing the same enthusiasm, loyal commentary, and passion to every game from the comfort of home. Mike also possessed a deep sense of adventure. He loved exploring the wide-open landscapes out west and embraced the open road, traveling to nearly all 50 states alongside the love of his life. Whether he was on the water, behind the wheel, watching the game, or embarking on a cross-country trip, Mike squeezed every bit of joy out of life.

Above all else, Mike was a devoted husband, a guiding father, and a doting grandfather. He was a man defined by his incredible warmth and generous heart; he never met a stranger and had a unique gift for making absolutely everyone feel welcome and safe. Known for his infectious smile, Mike loved nothing more than bringing laughter into a room. His playful sense of humor and love for his family was legendary. To know Mike was to know a man who worked hard, loved deeply, and laughed easily.

Michael’s greatest legacy is his family. He is survived by his beloved wife Irene of 38 years, his children Brandon (Ashley) High, Kyle (Allison) High, Matthew (Madeline) High; his grandchildren Joseph High, Christian High, Hayley High, Tinley High, Annie High, and Jack High; and brother Mark (Gayle Gerkey) High, brother in law Ernie Richardson, sister in law Margret Ibbotson, brother in law Bill Richardson, and Phillip Richardson; as well as many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis and Merton High. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 PM on Monday, August 10, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 603 McCleary St. Dowagiac, MI 49047, with Pastor Fredrick Adrian is officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Mission Hills Memorial Garden, 61453 M 51, Niles, MI 49120. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM at Palmer Funeral Home- Hoven Chapel, 414 E. Front St. Buchanan, MI 49107, and again on Monday August 10, 2026, one hour prior to services at the church.  

In place of flowers donations can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dowagiac, 603 McCleary St. Dowagiac, MI 49047. The CJD Foundation at https://cjdfoundation.org/donate/, CJD Foundation 3634 W. Market St., Suite 110 Akron, Ohio 44333 or the American Route 66 Project Street Team at https://rte66streetteam.com/donate/

 If you would like to leave online condolences for Michael and his family, please visit www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.