H. Joseph Shay II

H. Joseph Shay II,  74, of Echo Township, passed away on March 14, 2024 at Charlevoix Area Hospital.

   Joe was born on September 11, 1949, in Detroit, the son of Harry J. and Vonda J. (Sanders) Shay.

   In his younger years, he started the Shay Model A and T Reproduction Company along with his father.   After selling the business, he was a lobbyist for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

   Upon moving to northern Michigan, he got involved in both track and field as well as cross country.   He helped countless kids achieve greatness in running as well as field events.   Numerous athletes he coached earned college scholarships and he was fortunate to coach all 8 of his own children during his career.

   Joe attended both St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan as well as St. Luke Catholic Church in Bellaire.

   On December 31, 1973, in Toledo, OH., he married Susan M. Case who survives.

   Also surviving are 7 children, Jodie Kleymeer of Clinton Twp., MI, Joseph “Case” (Ji Yung) Shay of South Korea, Sarah (Jose) Garcia of Austin, TX, Amie (Danny) Tunstall of Austin, TX, Nathan Shay (Elena Searcy) of Newport Beach, CA, Elliott (Ploy) Shay of Lillington, NC, Stephan Shay of Ventura, CA, and 7 grandchildren, Mikiela “Mika”, Adam, Ashley, Max, Sarah, Emile and Sky.

    He was preceded in death by a son Ryan Shay, a sister Barbara Shay as well as his parents.

   A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 12 noon at St. Luke Catholic Church in Bellaire with Fr. Matthew Furgiuele officiating.

   Interment will follow in Dunsmore Cemetery, Echo Township.

   Visitation will also be on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the beginning of Mass at church.

   Memorial contributions may be made to Help from my Friends Pet Crisis Center, 3605 S. Derenzy Rd., Bellaire, MI,  49615, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN., 38105 or to any cross country/track and field high school program of the donor’s choice.

   Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

   Online guestbookwww.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.