Joseph Michael Shaltz

Mike was born in Calumet, Michigan, to the late Barb and Joe Shaltz on November 13, 1954. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School in Calumet and then went on to Calumet High School, where he was an avid football and hockey player.

After graduation Mike trained and became a licensed journeyman and master plumber. In 1988, after the passing of his father, “Joe the Plumb”, he ran the business, Shaltz Plumbing & Heating. He took great pride in taking over his father’s work and went on to become the plumbing and mechanical inspector in Houghton, Keweenaw and Dickinson counties. Because of his love of the trade, he was recognised and made the president of the Plumbing Inspectors Association of Michigan, president of the Mechanical Inspectors Association and Inspector of the Year for both.

In recent years he was working in the City of Lansing. At the time of his passing, he was their chief mechanical inspector.

Anyone who knew Mike knew that his trade was plumbing, but his passion was fighting fires and helping his neighbors. He volunteered for the Laurium Fire Department and eventually became chief.

In May of 1999, he married the love of his life, Jeanne. They shared 25 years of marriage together and built a life in their home on Smith Street on the North Side of Iron Mountain.

Mike had a lifetime love of hunting and fishing. He also had a “larger than life” gift of storytelling past adventures and various shenanigans. So much brought him joy in life, and he loved to share that joy, especially to anyone who shared his love for the Packers and the Red Wings.

Mike leaves behind his beloved wife, Jeanne Shaltz; sisters, Diane (Denny) Niskanen and Paula (Jake) Jackovich; his nieces and nephews, Kelly (Shayne) Lancour, Jason (Stacey) Niskanen, Joe (Kelly) Niskanen, Eric (Gigi) Jackovich, Jamie (Joe) Griffith, Christopher Ryan and Sabrina Watts; his bonus children, Sonja (Simon) Hall, John (Stephanie) Allard and Robert Allard; and best brothers-in-law, Ronald and Philip Johnston.

He was known as ‘Poppers’ by his grandchildren, Clara, Bea, Miles, Felix and Penny, who knew him as nothing less than one of the best grandpas a kid could ever hope for.

The family would also like to thank and honor Mike’s best friends, Mike Morrison, Mike Thompson and Tina Raeder, and the rest of his city of Lansing work family. Their kindness and help to the family will never be forgotten.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sherry.

Mike’s smiles were infectious. He brought joy, love and contagious cheeky laughter to every gathering. He was big hearted, kind and generous, adding warmth (and so much fun!) to any room he entered. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, 901 Carpenter Ave. Iron Mountain, MI, on Sunday, November 10. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a service following at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Condolences to the family of Joseph Michael Shaltz may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.