Joel Secrist Sr.

Joel E. Secrist Sr. Joel E. Secrist Sr. was born January 4, 1923 to William and Nora(Manier) Secrist in Boyne Falls, Michigan. Joel was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, on December 14, 2010 after a brief illness at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan. Joel graduated from Atlanta High School in 1941 and married his high school sweetheart, Theda June Manier on June 30, 1942. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 through 1945 as a gunner's mate on an escort carrier, USS Shipley Bay, serving in the Pacific theater. An athlete, he played baseball in high school and beyond, was a Golden Glove competitor, and he also boxed in the Navy. As a young adult he was known throughout northern Michigan as an outstanding baseball player for the Top of Michigan League. He was respected as a good hitter, pitcher, and infielder. Upon returning stateside he attended barber school at Green's Barber College in Flint, Michigan and barbered in East Lansing and St. Johns for many years before opening his own shop in Lewiston, Michigan. While practicing his trade in Lewiston he also served as a deputy sheriff for Montmorency County under Sheriff Charles Brown. When duty called, he would trade in his barber's coat for his badge to serve his community. He also served as a Boy Scout Leader, Troop 118 for many years. In his spare time he enjoyed to bowling, fishing, hunting and playing ball. Elected Sheriff of Montmorency County in 1960 he moved to Atlanta, the county seat. During his tenure as sheriff he was instrumental in bringing about some significant changes in the sheriff department such as uniforms for the sheriff department employees, a base radio system for the office, the first county owned patrol car, and the first marine patrol boat. He resigned from this position in March of 1967 to work for the Michigan Secretary of State's Office (SOS). After two years in the Detroit area he became the first manager of the SOS office in Traverse City, Michigan. He then became a field safety officer for SOS in northern Michigan. Later, he became the manager of the Beulah SOS office retiring as manager of the Sutton's Bay office in 1984. He was a member the V.F.W. in Atlanta, Masonic Lodge in Lewiston, Michigan Sheriff's Association and Michigan State Employees Association. He was a member of the Big Rock Congregational Church in Atlanta, Michigan for many years. At the time of his death he was a member of the Inland Baptist Church, Interlochen, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved daughter, Janelle K. Klein. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, the love of his life, Theda; son Joel Jr. (Kerry) of Traverse City, Michigan; sister, Esther Secrist of Atlanta, Michigan; brother William (Sue) Secrist of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren; three great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements have been entrusted to Green Funeral Home in Atlanta, Michigan. A memorial service is being planned for the spring with interment at Briley Township Cemetery. Condolence messages can be sent via our website, www.greenfuneralhomes.com
An athlete, he played baseball in high school and beyond, was a Golden Glove competitor, and he also boxed in the Navy. As a young adult he was known throughout northern Michigan as an outstanding baseball player for the Top of Michigan League. He was respected as a good hitter, pitcher, and infielder.
Upon returning stateside he attended barber school at Green's Barber College in Flint, Michigan and barbered in East Lansing and St. Johns for many years before opening his own shop in Lewiston, Michigan. While practicing his trade in Lewiston he also served as a deputy sheriff for Montmorency County under Sheriff Charles Brown. When duty called, he would trade in his barber's coat for his badge to serve his community. He also served as a Boy Scout Leader, Troop 118 for many years. In his spare time he enjoyed to bowling, fishing, hunting and playing ball.
Elected Sheriff of Montmorency County in 1960 he moved to Atlanta, the county seat. During his tenure as sheriff he was instrumental in bringing about some significant changes in the sheriff department such as uniforms for the sheriff department employees, a base radio system for the office, the first county owned patrol car, and the first marine patrol boat. He resigned from this position in March of 1967 to work for the Michigan Secretary of State's Office (SOS). After two years in the Detroit area he became the first manager of the SOS office in Traverse City, Michigan. He then became a field safety officer for SOS in northern Michigan. Later, he became the manager of the Beulah SOS office retiring as manager of the Sutton's Bay office in 1984.
He was a member the V.F.W. in Atlanta, Masonic Lodge in Lewiston, Michigan Sheriff's Association and Michigan State Employees Association.
He was a member of the Big Rock Congregational Church in Atlanta, Michigan for many years. At the time of his death he was a member of the Inland Baptist Church, Interlochen, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved daughter, Janelle K. Klein. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, the love of his life, Theda; son Joel Jr. (Kerry) of Traverse City, Michigan; sister, Esther Secrist of Atlanta, Michigan; brother William (Sue) Secrist of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren; three great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Green Funeral Home in Atlanta, Michigan. A memorial service is being planned for the spring with interment at Briley Township Cemetery. Condolence messages can be sent via our website, www.greenfuneralhomes.com