Michael G. Rapelje

Michael “Mike” G. Rapelje, of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away on Friday September 2, 2022, surrounded by his family at home. He was 74. Mike was born in Lansing, Michigan on December 22, 1947, to Gordon and Ilamae Rapelje. He grew up in Lansing with his two younger brothers, Larry and Robin. He attended Holt High School where he met the love of his life and future wife, Nancy Rodebaugh.  They were married in 1967. That same year he enlisted in the Navy and saw active duty in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1970.

Mike and Nancy moved to Burlington, MI where they raised their three children Jim, Jason and Marie. They lived there for 20 years before moving to Battle Creek where they have resided for the past 20 years.

In 1984, after attending the Police Academy, Mike began his career in public service at the Marshall Police Department. During this time, Mike (Rap) worked as a patrolman, and later was promoted to Sergeant. He worked at the department for 25 years, retiring in 2004.

Mike is survived by his wife Nancy; sons, James and Jason (Angie) Rapelje; daughter, Marie (Ralph) Smith; eight grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; brother, Robin Rapelje; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ilamae; father, Gordon; and brother, Larry.

Services have been entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Highway 27 N. Marshall, MI 49068. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022, from 6:00-8:00pm and Friday morning September 16, 2022, at 11:00am until the time of the memorial service beginning at noon. Interment with military honors will follow at 2:00pm in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lansing, Michigan. To share a memory or leave a condolence, visit https://kempffuneralhome.com . Those wishing to do so, may donate in Mike’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ .