Edwin "Lee" Michel was born on June 29, 1925 and left this world to be with our Lord on February 22, 2014 at the age of 88 after a long battle with lung disease. Lee and his wife, Virginia, had one daughter, Karen Elaine Branstetter of Fort Smith, AR, three grandchildren, Mike Branstetter of Kansas City, MO., Therese Reinhard and husband Jed of Fort Smith, AR and Jim Branstetter and wife Kim also of Fort Smith. Lee had eight great-grandchildren. Mike's children Justin and Jennifer Branstetter, Therese's children, Kayla, Graham and Joshua Reinhard, and Jim's children, Connor and Alexander Branstetter and LaLeshia Johnson.

Lee and Virginia were the owners of Michel's Restaurant in Branson, MO. They ran this well-known family restaurant for 42 years before Lee retired and began his second career as a cook at the Rib House at Silver Dollar City where he worked for an additional 15 years.

Lee was an honest, hardworking and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a Christian man of great integrity and work ethic. He unselfishly took care of his ailing wife for many years putting her every need above his own. Lee was an amazingly generous person who will be greatly missed.

Lee was youngest of 12 children. Lee was proceeded in death by his parents Edwin & Ethel Michel of Branson, MO. and 11 siblings, Mary Effie Michel Collins, Lillian Ester Michel Craig, William Jacob Michel, Charles Herman Michel, Vernon Clyde Michel, Ernest Ralph Michel, Della Faye Michel Gloyd, Ella Maye Michel, Ruth Frances Michel Wilday, Pearl Agnes Michel and Exie Bethel Michel.

Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, February 25th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home in Branson, MO. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 26th at 10:30 a.m. followed by a brief graveside service at Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Justin Branstetter, Connor Branstetter, Alexander Branstetter, Graham Reinhard, Richard Michel and Jeff Michel.
Published in the News-Leader on Feb. 25, 2014