Dr. E. Michael ‘Mike’ Grill, 67, of Winona Lake, Ind., passed away at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2013, after battling leukemia at Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born on Nov. 29, 1945, in Dayton, Ohio, to the late Adam Edward “Ed” Grill and Kittie (Myers) Grill, who survives in Winona Lake. On Aug. 12, 1967, he married Rebecca Jo Flick, who also survives in Winona Lake.

Mike was a long time resident of Winona Lake where he lived since his graduation from Grace College in 1967. He earned his master’s degree as well as his doctorate from Ball State University. He served Grace College for 35 years where he was a professor, Dean of The School of Behavioral Science and was an award winning tennis coach. He was presented the Grace College “Alva J. McClain Award for Excellence in Teaching” in 1980.

He was an Elder in the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church where he was a member for 43 years and he served 16 years on both the Winona Lake Plan Commission and the Winona Lake Board of Zoning Appeals. He was honored with the “Bill Reneker Memorial Community Service Award” in 2006.

Mike was passionate about his relationship with Jesus Christ and about the power of prayer through the Holy Spirit. He loved his family and found great joy in his grandchildren. He was an athlete, and a teacher/mentor to thousands of Christian college students by whom he was truly beloved.

The Lord worked miracles in his life for many years as he faced leukemia, and his life was filled with prayer. He will be remembered for the profound influence he had on his community and in his college as he boldly shared his faith. He was greatly loved, and will be sorely missed, but is happy now with his Savior.

He will be lovingly remembered by his son: Josh (Amy) Grill, Winona Lake; one granddaughter: Anna; a grandson: Ethan; and his brother: Steve (Susan) Grill, Winona Lake.

He was preceded in death by his father.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, the public is invited to a “Celebration of the Life of Mike Grill” at the Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake.

A private service for the immediate family will be held on Friday, March 29, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw, Ind., and officiated by Dr. Roger Peugh. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial contributions in Mike’s name may be directed to the World Compassion Network, P.O. Box 1152, Warsaw, IN 46581-1152.