Michael E. “Pops” Routley, 59, of Vandalia, died Wednesday, July 13, 2011.

He was born July 21, 1951 in Big Rapids to David and Phoebe Bell (Wachter) Routley.

He married Lorrie Brush in Reed City on Nov. 16, 1979.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1974 and retired from the Cass County Road Commission on June 30, 2011.

Michael is survived by his wife Lorrie (Brush) Routley, of Vandalia; two daughters, Rebecca (Kyle) Parsons and Michelle (Jeffery) Deal, both of Edwardsburg; one son, Thomas Routley, of Coldwater; two grandsons, Kaden Michael Parsons, 8, and Keegan Douglas Parsons, 5; three sisters, Bess (Ron) Schultz of Paris, Mary Drews, of Big Rapids and Jayne (John) Spedowski of Paris; four brothers, William (Sharon) Routley of Big Rapids, Gary Routley, of Stanwood, Larry (Juanita) Routley of Washington, Ill. and Robert (Diana) Routley of Stanwood; three sisters-in-law, Marilyn Routley, Rogers Heights, Vonnie Routley and JoEllen Schuberg, both of Big Rapids; and over 150 nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews who called him “Papa.”

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David Routley and James Routley.

Family and friends gathered on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street in Cassopolis for a service officiated by the Reverends Martha Cooper and James Chaffee.

Military honors were provided by the combined Honor Guard of William E. Lozier VFW Post #10704 and Efton James American Legion Post #206, Cassopolis.

Family and friends will again gather on Sunday, July 24, 2011 from 1 p.m. until time of service at 2 p.m. at Monke Funeral Home, 128 South Warren Avenue, Big Rapids. The family will observe a private inurnment in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis.

The family prefers memorial contributions be made to Relay for Life, 1400 West Milham, Portage, MI 49024, or Cass County Cancer Service, Inc., Post Office Box 676, Edwardsburg, MI 49112

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel, Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis.

Online condolences may be posted at:  wagnercares.com.