Grand Blanc Loses a Bridge Builder Who Put People First

Mike Yancho Sr. passed away on October 1 at age 74. His family was by his side. The Grand Blanc community feels the loss deeply. People remember him as someone who genuinely cared about making life better for everyone around him.

He spent three decades as a tool and die maker for General Motors in the Flint area. After retiring, he took over his father's business. Trim Pines Farm grew Christmas trees and offered landscape services. Mike believed good landscaping does more than look nice. It cleans the air. It gives wildlife a home. It produces oxygen. But only when done right.

Mike loved simple pleasures. Playing euchre with friends. Hunting trips. Boating on the water. Time with family mattered most. He belonged to several farming and nursery groups. His knowledge ran deep.

On the township board, Mike stood out. Supervisor Scott Bennett knew him for years. Their families went way back. Their politics differed. That never stopped Mike. He listened to every side. He asked hard questions for the right reasons. His votes came down to what helped the township, not party lines. People across the spectrum trusted him. They chose him for leadership roles even when most members disagreed with his politics.

Mayor John Creasey called Mike a man of, for, and by the community. The parks department credited him for championing recreation programs. He understood quality of life. His wife Libby passed away earlier. They married in 1970 after meeting through Junior Achievement. Friends say Mike kept showing up despite his grief. He stayed sincere. Honest. Thoughtful. You could trust his opinion. He told you what he truly thought, not what you wanted to hear.