Michael William Janisch
Michael William Janisch, of McDonald, Tennessee, at the age of 67, went home to the Lord and Loved Ones on Saturday, November 18th, 2023.
Michael was the youngest born of three children to William and Isabelle Janisch (Laskowski) of Chicago, Illinois. At a young age he attended grammar school at St. Williams Catholic and graduated from Prosser Vocational High School, where he studied sheet metal fabrication.
His uncles Rudy and Fritz, who worked for the railroad, helped Mike start his career and 40 years later Michael retired after working in Chicago, Los Angeles and the Beech Grove, Indiana rail yards. Mike moved down south to McDonald, Tennessee to retire with his children Bryan, Cassie and David. There he met his beloved Natalie, who through good and bad, loved Mike whole-heartedly.
Mike was a hot rod guy. In high school he drove a 1967 Pontiac GTO amongst other cars considered today as some of the greatest classic cars ever. This, of course, led to his fascination for fast cars, including Top fuel dragsters, funny cars, you name it. If it was super-fast, Mike was a fan. He always had a love for drag racing, but when he moved out to Indianapolis and experienced the roaring four turns of the Indy 500 his love for racing made a turn.
Then one driver came on the scene that would change Mike's love for the sport into an obsession. The Dupont number 24 car of Jeff Gordon captivated him and Mike devoted his racing fandom solely to NASCAR. He watched every race, went to several tracks, and changed his entire wardrobe to NASCAR t-shirts and sweat shirts. In addition to his love of racing, Mike loved all of his local sports teams from the Colts to the Pacers to cheering on the Fighting Irish and the Tennessee Vols.
Mike loved to travel but he did not like to fly. He only took three flights throughout his entire life; however, if it had wheels planted firmly on the ground Mike would drive it. He would drive any distance, anytime, to see anyone on the spur of the moment. He loved driving so much that he had a part time job for many years driving a limousine.
Michael had a huge heart when it came to his four-legged fur babies and he leaves behind his sweet Holly. He enjoyed life to the fullest while attending races at the track, taking in the occasional ball game, attending barbeques, and a Saturday night game of Phase 10 with family and friends, where he always got “Grooved”.
Mike Janisch truly loved life, loved his family, and all of his friends, through each of his days on this Earth.
He was preceded in death by his youngest son, David William Janisch; his dearest mother, Isabelle (Laskowski) Janisch and his father, William Janisch; and aunt, Marie (Janisch) Strauss.
Michael’s surviving family includes his daughter, Cassandra Alice (Janisch) Rose, son-in-law, Jason and granddaughters, Lauren and Ashley; His son, Bryan Elliott Janisch, daughter-in-law Cara and granddaughter Cortlyn; brother, Thomas (Lois) Janisch and niece Kimberly; his sister, Carol (Ken) Lucht and niece Cheryl.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 from 11 a.m. until 2 p..m. at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Following visitation, a graveside funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the McDonald East View Cemetery, 8004 McDonald Cemetery Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com for the Janisch family.
Arrangements entrusted to the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.