Longtime Edsel Ford Economics Teacher Dies
Michael Grenfell, who taught at Edsel for 25 years, died Sunday, his colleagues confirmed
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Longtime Edsel Ford High School economics teacher Michael Grenfell died Sunday after battling a rare blood disease, his colleagues confirmed. He was 49.
According to fellow teacher Paul Parana, Grenfell died from a seizure due to complications from his illness.
Originally from Marquette, Grenfell taught economics for 27 years at Edsel Ford before taking a leave of absence in the fall of 2011 when he became sick.
In November, a fundraiser dinner was held at the school to help Grenfell pay for treatment of his illness at the Mayo Clinic. The event was attended by more than 750 friends, family members, community members, students and former students of Grenfell.
Visitation will be held 4-9 p.m. Wednesday and 12-9 p.m. Thursday at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at Dearborn Christian Fellowship at 11 a.m. Friday.
Grenfell is survived by his wife DeDe and his children, Zoe and James, who are both students at Dearborn High School. He was the brother of John (Shelley), Eileen (Harry) Kaufmann, Kathy (Fred) Betcher, Jim (Marilyn), and Laurie.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grenfell Family Memorial College Fund for Zoé and James or the Michael G. Grenfell Scholarship Fund.
Do you have memories of Michael Grenfell? Post your photos here, or leave a comment below.
In This article
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Edsel Ford High School
20601 Rotunda Dr, Dearborn, MI -
Dearborn High School
19501 Outer Dr, Dearborn, MI -
Howe-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services
22546 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI -
Dearborn Christian Fellowship
21360 Donaldson St, Dearborn, MI -
E. Thai
3:25 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
Loved Mr. Grenfell's enthusiasm for Econ and teaching itself. I take many of his lessons with me today even though I haven't seen him in 15 years. Thank you for your love of students and nurturing their desire to learn.
Johnny Christmas
7:24 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
Visitation is Wed from 4p-9p and Thu from noon-9p; at Howe-Peterson.
Funeral is on Friday at Dearborn Christian Fellowship, 21360 Donaldson, at 11a.
Jessica Carreras
10:24 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
Thanks, Johnny, for the info.
Bc
8:11 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
You will always be remembered Mr.Grenfell. By your students and family.
May he R.I.P
monica
6:56 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Taught with Passion. You look forward to his class because you always walk out knowing you had learned something that day. God Bless.
Frida
12:06 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
I had no idea he was even ill. This makes me so sad. He was by far one of my favorite teachers. He was a such a kind person and treated all of his students with dignity and respect. He was a fine example of what a teacher should be and will be missed.
Karen
6:01 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
I remember Mike from years ago when his father was the pastor of our church in Port Huron MI. He was the same in his younger years as in adult life, kind, loving, compassionate and a yearning for life. His memory still lives on in our church along with the laughter...Your remembered lovinly Mike and always will be.
Emily Dowgiallo
9:25 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
He was a great teacher, one that I always enjoyed going to school for. Not always an easy class, but a great one!
Kind of a funny memory to have, but a good one..... we always talked about his 'good style' of shoes.
Stephanie
10:06 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Didn't like economics much, but I did enjoy his class. He had a good balance of information, learning standards, and humor- "...like when you're baking cookies, you don't want to OD on the flour." He was a bright spot in my day. I appreciated his quiet but steadfast faith in God as well.