John (Mike) Michael Hill

John (Mike) Michael Hill age 72 passed away on Tuesday June 8, 2021. Mike was born on December 12, 1948 in Detroit Michigan to John Hill and Mary (Fonte) Hill. After elementary school in 1959, his family moved to Fife Lake, Michigan. They built a log cabin as a family and called it home. He then attended Giddings School, a one room schoolhouse in Garfield Township. Mike and his twin brother Mel quickly acquired the “Hill Boys” name and still are referenced as such today. He and his siblings were all active in 4-H where they developed an array of skills that continually grew with them. These skills would later serve as a solid foundation that Mike continually built upon with his career. Mike graduated Kalkaska High School in 1967. He immediately went on to further his education at Northwestern Michigan College until his enlistment in the United States Air Force In 1969. He served our country until he was honorably discharged in 1973. After leaving the military Mike began working in construction with his father at a young age. He invested a lot of time and energy refining his talents to become a licensed builder and a skilled mason. In 1976 John M. Hill Builder/Hill Construction was formed. Mike’s company flourished and he was proud to build lifelong homes for his many clients. In 2012 Mike became the Building Inspector for Kalkaska County, becoming the Building Official in 2019. Mike found added gratification that he served as a steppingstone to many of today’s prominent builders, whom he now provided inspections for and offered his expertise to. Mike was married in 1979 to Deborah (Monette) Hill and together they had four daughters. Anyone who knew Mike was well aware of his “four beautiful girls”. Mike always talked about his girls and their love for horses. One of Mike’s favorites was attending the annual Cow Camp Rodeo and watching his girls compete. Mike also enjoyed being a Papa to his 4 granddaughters. He was very proud of his family and loved to tell all the stories he had to everyone around. He also had a love for antique vehicles, owning several Studebaker trucks and a plethora of other makes and models. Mike loved to hunt. He was a long-standing member of Camp Woolrich, an annual tradition with friends, in Hermansville in the Upper Peninsula. He also loved having a few beers with friends and telling stories. Mike is survived by daughters Jennifer (Joseph) Madigan, Megan (Perry) Daniels, Emily (Wayne) Golden, and Mindy (Joey Leach) Hill; granddaughters Jaylee and Liberty Madigan, Hallie and Harper Golden; brother Melvin (Penny) Hill and sisters Mary Ann Hill and Marlene Hill; Uncle Anthony (Mary) Fonte and many cousins. Mike is preceded in death by his parents John E Hill and Mary Rose (Fonte) Hill. Funeral services will be at Kalkaska Funeral Home on Monday, June 14, 2021, viewing at 10:00 AM, services at 11:00 AM; internment at Garfield Township Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

John (Mike) Michael Hill

December 12, 1948 - June 8, 2021