Michael Charles Shontell

Michael was born on October 30, 1955, in Butte, Montana. He was the third child and only son of Charles (Chuck) and Thelma Toppari Shontell. Michael lived with his family in Butte, Montana until 1968 when they moved to Tempe, Arizona. Michael was a huge ASU fan. He said that often rode his bike on the ASU campus and that is when he began a lifetime devotion to ASU. He loved anything ASU, clothing, hats, blankets, etc. In junior high and high school, his talent for drafting and drawing buildings became apparent. One of his teachers recognized his talent and nurtured it. The teacher invited contractors, architects and drafting professionals to speak with the students, and the teacher would often point out Michael’s achievements. Michael always enjoyed sports. He played high school football and was on the track and field team.

While living in Montana, his father, built houses and continued that career in Arizona. Michael began drawing the plans for homes that his dad built. He was able to get the plans approved by the City of Tempe usually on the first pass through, although he was still in high school. He also worked on many of the houses his father built and learned construction and carpentry skills.

In 1975, Michael served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Adelaide Australia Mission. He was designated as the leader of his group to find a building and put together a new mission headquarters for this area.

After returning home from his mission, he received his AA degree in drafting at MCC and took classes at ASU in architecture. Soon he was certified as a Registered Architect in the State of Arizona.

Michael married and had five beautiful daughters, Michelle, Amie, Kirbie, Demie and Quincie. He loved and adored his family and devoted his time and energy to take care of them.

In December 2005, Michael married his current wife Lori. She had four children and an extensive family. He welcomed all of them into his life and did his part to be a good example and father figure. They had a very loving marriage and he often said to Lori, “You are the best wife ever” and she would respond with “You are the man of my dreams and the love of my life”! They loved spending time together and with family. It just seemed like there was never enough time.

In 2010, Michael started a career with The Arizona Department of Corrections. It was a completely different career for him but he enjoyed it and met many new people that soon became friends as well as work associates.

Michael, is preceded in death by his father Charles (Chuck) and younger sister Patricia Althea, brother in law Michael Simmons and his mother and father-in-law Ardell and Richard Coffey.

He is survived by his mother Thelma Shontell, sisters Sandra Simmons, and Charlene Norton (John), daughters Michelle Greene (Steve) , Aimee Milczarek, Kirbie Jacobson, Demie Allen, Quincie Anderson and families. Wife Lori Shontell and her children Jessica Smith, Garrett Greenhalgh, Katelynn Ponce (Leo) and Emily Greenhalgh. He also leaves 10 grandchildren, Madison, Ethan and Tucker Greene. Landon and Kamber Smith. Keira, Khloe and Kash Ponce. Ella and Sterling VanVleet. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, September 11th at 12 pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5620 E Adobe St., Mesa, Arizona