Michael E. Kossey

Michael Eugene Kossey, 74, son of Eugene and Gabriella (Kotan) Kossey grew up on his family farm in Tecumseh with his parents and three older sisters. He is preceded in death by his three sisters and infant son, Sean Kossey. Mike attended St. Elizabeth’s school grades 1-8 and Tecumseh High School where he played football.

After getting his bachelor’s from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in history, Mike joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1971 as a 2nd Lt. Artillery Officer. In May of 1976, he married Mary Helen (Murphy) Kossey at the Naval Security Station in Washington, D.C. During his distinguished 22-year career of service on Active Duty and as an Active Reservist, Lt. Col. Kossey (Ret.) held numerous billets from Aide-de-Camp for MajGen Michael P. Ryan (co-founder of the Marine Corps Marathon) in Vietnam, Weapons Training Officer and head of the guard at Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, early in his career. Upon his retirement in 1993 Lt. Col. Kossey (Ret.) fulfilled the duties and responsibilities as the head of Manpower & Reserve Affairs working on Plans, Policies, and Operations for the Secretary of the Navy at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

Mike grew up farming on his parent’s farm and throughout his life, kept his agrarian roots. His active-duty military time was punctuated by times of inactive reserve status which he spent back on the farm while working third shift as floor supervisor at the then-Delphi plant in Adrian.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, LtCol Kossey (Ret.) worked on political campaigns for General Colin Powell (Ret.) (former Secretery of State), Congressman Nick Smith, R (Ret.), and he himself ran for State Representative in Michigan. In 2000, LtCol Kossey (Ret.) was hand selected by the Bush administration as a Schedule C Presidential Appointee working in the Department of Agriculture where he served all 8 years of former President Bush’s time in office.

While in full retirement, Mike coached Tecumseh soccer (including recreational, TASC, and high school) for over 20 years, tended to the family farm, maintained his flock of 50 sheep and 100 chickens, cut and split firewood, and enjoyed his family. He regularly made trips to VA, TX, FL, and anywhere else his children and grandchildren were living. Mike died suddenly of natural causes on 22 June 2024 at home on the farm in the presence of his wife and a few of his children.

Throughout his entire life, Mike was the cornerstone, pillar, and leader of his family and was surrounded by, supported and was supported by, his wife of 48 years, Mary Kossey, nine children, and 13 grandchildren.

Support and condolences can be sent to the Kossey family at Handler Funeral Home, handlerfuneralhomes.com.  Memorial contributions will support a Lenawee County educational scholarship, Second Chances Scholarship, which his children started five years ago. Mike’s funeral was held on 26 June 2024 where he was surrounded by his family and loving friends at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh.