Deacon Michael Medard Ingels, 83, of Monroe, died Feb. 14, 2022, at the St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Born Michel Ingels on June 20, 1938, in Wevelgem, West Flanders, Belgium, he was the son of Oscar and Rachel (Vandenberghe) Ingels. As a child during World War II, he remembered watching bombs explode in the distance. Mike studied engineering and mechanics at a technical school in Belgium. In 1955, he and his family came to the United States on the SS Groote Beer, a converted wartime troop carrier. They docked in New Jersey and spoke little English. Eventually they made their way to Michigan.
Mike was a co-founder of the Auto Body Plant in Monroe, along with his brother, Henri Ingels. He worked as an auto mechanic specializing in color matching. Later, he sold his share of the plant and became a Franciscan Friar at the St. Paschal’s Friary in Oak Brook, Ill.
Mike met the love of his life: Shirley Hoffman. They were married on June 26, 1971, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Monroe. They raised a family of three children and spent over 29 wonderful years together before Shirley passed away in 2000.
Mike graduated from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and was ordained to become a deacon with the Archdiocese of Detroit by John Cardinal Dearden in 1977. During the last 45 years, Deacon Ingels has served the community of Monroe County. He was a deacon at both St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s in Monroe. He was very involved in the Michael’s Men Group, prayer and Bible studies, and counseled pre-marriage couples. During his life service, he has baptized, married, and delivered eulogies for countless people.
In his younger years, Deacon Ingels adored birds and even had his own aviary. He enjoyed painting portraits of his loved ones and planting his vegetable garden. Deacon Ingels also liked watching Detroit Lions and Michigan football games.
Most importantly, Deacon Ingels loved spending his time with family. He used to take his children on cross country road trips to places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Maine. He especially loved his grandkids. They were his world and he always brought them cookies. Mike liked to joke around, and he will be deeply missed and cherished in the hearts of his loved ones.
Beloved father of Michelle Ingels, Michael (Kathy) Ingels, and Francis Ingels. Loving Papa of Jacob, Grace, and Emma Ingels. Dearest brother-in-law of Fran Ingels and Janet Ingels. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his wife: Shirley Ingels; and siblings: Henri Ingels, Lionel Ingels, Jeannine Schwartz, Francine Lassey, and two infant brothers.
Everyone is invited to a visitation on Friday, February 25, 2022, at Rupp Funeral Home from 3:00 to 8:00 pm, with recitation of the rosary at 6:00 pm. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Attendees are highly encouraged to wear masks. Mike will lie in state at 9 am with the funeral mass at 10 am. Officiating is Fr. Kishore Babu Battu. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Obituary originally published on the website of Rupp Funeral Home.
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