BOONE, Iowa—Floyd Cecil Michel, age 82, passed away at the Boone County Hospital with his children by his side. Floyd was born in Boone, Iowa, on July 22, 1940, to Charles Michel and Mildred (Cooper) Michel. The third of eight children, Floyd grew up and lived in Boone all of his life.
Floyd attended United Community School in Jordan, Iowa. During the summer of 1957, Floyd met Karen at a local hamburger drive-in. It was love at first sight for him and soon after for her.
After high school, Floyd worked at Vogler-Nieman Chevrolet. He worked for McVicker Painting and later owned his own business, Boone Auto Reconditioning Shop. He and his friend Butch Borsma opened Boone County Drywall and later went to work for Central Iowa Construction Services and then Heideman Drywall.
Floyd was the first of his brothers to drywall. He soon recruited his three brothers and brother-in-law to work in the drywall trade.
Floyd and Karen were married on February 11, 1961. In 1962, they welcomed their son, Jeff, followed by their daughter, Mishelle, in 1969.
Floyd loved cars. As a teenager he would find someone to race him in his 1958 black hardtop Chevy Impala. His other true love was his brand-new 1966 Chevelle.
Floyd was always happiest when he was spending time with Karen. Early in their marriage, he tried his hand at racing a Ford Model A that he and his brother Chuck built. His first and last night of racing was at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, where he went off of turn 2, through the fence, and into the trees. They took the car home that night and hid it behind the barn so his Mom did not see it for a few days.
Deciding that racing was not for him, he became the first flagman at the Boone Speedway. Floyd and Karen loved the racetrack and the people they met. They were able to spend time with friends and family each week at the track. He went on to flag at Hamilton County Fairgrounds and the Crawford County Speedway.
When they retired from the racetrack, they found a new love of antiques. They traveled from Boone to the East Coast, looking for treasures. Floyd loved pottery. His favorite crocks were made in Moingona at the Moingona Pottery Works and the Flint Stone Pottery. He could be found on the Des Moines river sandbar looking for shards or traveling the Midwest on the hunt for a piece of Moingona stoneware.
In addition to antiquing, he loved his many years fishing in Ontario, Canada, with family and friends. There was nothing better than trying to get a big northern pike in the boat. He often talked about the good old days of fishing and the friends he made while there.
Most of all, Floyd loved his wife and his family. He took care of Karen when she was unable to do so herself. He did it with love, respect, and dignity and never complained.
Floyd was preceded in death by his wife, Karen of nearly 61 years of marriage; his parents; half-brother, John Ross; brothers, Chuck Michel and Pete Michel; nephew, Brian Braland and niece, Jennifer Echard.
Floyd is survived by his son, Jeff (Amy) Michel of Boone, IA; two grandchildren, Mallory (Savannah) Quant of Shakopee, MN, and Bryce (Jesica) Michel of Ankeny, IA; and three great-grandchildren: Adalee, Mia, and Reece Michel; daughter, Mishelle (Tony) Franklin of Boone, IA; three grandchildren: Alicia (Aaron) Howell, Kelsey Franklin (Derek Huffman) and Ryley Franklin all of Boone, IA; two great-grandchildren, Knox and Boden Howell; brother, Steve (Linda) Michel of Boone, IA; sisters, Charlene (Arnie) Braland, Judy (Mike) Frist of Boone, IA; Vickie (Don) Whattoff of Kearney, MO; and sisters-in-law, Deb Michel of Ogden, IA, and Marianne Michel of Boone, IA, as well as many nieces and nephews.
His body has been cremated. A memorial celebration and burial of Karen and Floyd will be announced this Spring.
In memory of Floyd, memorials can be directed to the family to a memorial yet to be determined.
Online condolences can be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements.
