Michael Neirink

Michael "Mike" Neirink - Age 83, of Grand Blanc, died November 6, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Rd., Grand Blanc. 

Mike was born on January 27, 1941 in Mayville, Wisconsin, to Florian and Katherine (Sorgent) Belligan, the youngest of nine children. He was raised in Lansing by his adoptive parents, Leon and Mary (Sorgent) Neirink. Mike graduated from Resurrection School in Lansing, Michigan in 1958. He attended Lansing Community College and Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Packaging Science. On February 6, 1965 he married Diana Marie (Clark) Neirink, who also graduated from Resurrection School. Mike and Diana moved to Flint where Mike began a 35-year career at Buick and General Motors as a packaging engineer. Diana worked as a nurse, and together they raised a family of four children.

Mike loved life and knew how to have fun. He enjoyed travel and planned many wonderful trips for his family. He played on Blooperball and golf leagues for many years, worked out and played pick-up basketball at the gym. His dry, quick humor and corny puns were legendary. Mike loved cats and dogs and was known for sneakily and joyfully feeding them table scraps. He liked sports, rum and Coke, Gene Autry and the Ink Spots, the Detroit Lions and Michigan State Spartans, and fitted ball caps. He created clever nicknames for his kids and grandkids and had a warm, infectious laugh. He kept notes on index cards in his shirt pocket, made sure everyone had enough food and drink, and no one arrived or left his home without a warm handshake or a hug. Most of all, Mike loved his wife and family above all things. He was a devoted husband, father, papa, and friend to many. His legacy lives on through his family and the many lives he touched during his lifetime.

Mike is survived by his wife Diana Neirink of Grand Blanc; Children, Michael (Christine) Neirink of Frankenmuth, Kathryn (Steven) Robinson of Lansing, Steven (Elena) Neirink of Birmingham, and Donald Neirink of Clarkston. Mike was much beloved by his seven grandchildren, who called him Papa, Samuel, Zoe, and Milo Neirink, Owen and Julia Robinson, Ethan and Genevieve Neirink. He is also survived by his brothers Paul (Katy) Neirink of Kalamazoo, and Joseph (Cecilia) Belligan of West Bend, Wisconsin. He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

The entire Neirink Family would like to thank Heather and her staff at Hyde Park Memory Care in Flushing for the loving care they gave our beloved Mike during the last eight months of his life. Donations may be made in Mike's name to Hyde Park Assisted Living or Dementia Society of America.

https://baruchsls-living-joy.kindful.com/

www.dementiasociety.org/donate

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.