Michael Fellin

Michael “Mike” Fellin was born October 3, 1945, in Denver, Colorado, to a young mother, who made the difficult choice to place her first-born son for adoption. He was lovingly welcomed by Muriel and Alex Fellin, who raised him as their only son in Pueblo, Colorado.

As a child, Mike was bright, precocious, and eager to learn. He could recite long verses as a preschooler and charmed everyone with his smile. He helped his parents around the house and, at twelve, began working for Joe, the neighborhood grocer. Joe not only paid Mike for his work but also took him fishing and hunting, introducing him to a love of the outdoors that would last a lifetime. Mike also camped and fished with family friends, the Duffys.

By saving every dollar from the store, Mike bought his first car at age sixteen—a green 1955 Chevy Biscayne—purchased with the help of his father, Alex. In high school, Mike excelled as a wrestler, qualifying for the state tournament his senior year. Around the time of his graduation in 1963, he faced the heartbreaking loss of his father.

Mike continued working while attending college in Pueblo with an interest in geology. After his mother moved to Belmont, he met the girl across the street, Lynnette, who was about to start her senior year of high school. Their romance blossomed through long walks, movies, and simple outings. On Lynnette’s graduation night, the young couple became engaged. After she began working as a dental assistant, they married on July 1, 1967.

Their son, Gregory Michael, was born on January 5, 1969. In January 1970, the family moved to Washington State, but only a few months later, Mike’s mother passed away unexpectedly. Their daughter, Darcy Lynne, was born in Renton, Washington, on January 18, 1971. Mike and Lynnette were overjoyed to have both a son and a daughter.

Mike built a long career with Safeway while raising his family. He loved backpacking in Washington’s mountains, skiing, gardening, landscaping, and keeping his yard immaculate. The family enjoyed many camping trips to places like Yellowstone, the Canadian Rockies, and Montana.

Once their children were grown, Mike and Lynnette traveled widely, exploring Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Israel, Mexico, Costa Rica, and more. They loved learning about people and cultures and, when home, rode their mountain bikes on trails throughout the Pacific Northwest. Their Renton church community was central to their lives, grounding them as they worked and played hard together.

In 2003, Mike retired from Safeway at age 58, but his strong work ethic drew him to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he continued in inventory control. He amazed his managers with his precision and diligence and took pride in doing his job well. Mike and Lynnette embraced Arizona life, hiking, camping, and reconnecting with family, especially the Listers.

The highlight of those years was being near their daughter Darcy and son-in-law Greg, helping care for their first grandchild, Scarlett, and later welcoming Gates their grandson. Though the children eventually moved away, Mike and Lynnette treasured every visit and poured themselves into being active, loving grandparents.

After eight years in Arizona, Mike and Lynnette returned to Washington in September 2011, settling in Longview. They enjoyed the beauty of their quiet town, walking around the lake, gardening, and joining Bible studies and Torah classes. They deepened their faith and delighted in learning God’s Word together.

In 2020, they set out on a “senior trip” to visit states they hadn’t yet explored. Their journey included celebrating Scarlett’s birthday with their daughter’s family, reconnecting with loved ones in Scottsdale and Florida, and revisiting Colorado friends. Their trip was cut short by the pandemic, but it was still a treasured adventure.

In his later years, Mike remained active, gardening, walking, and faithfully studying the Bible. He approached illness with determination—eating well, exercising, and holding firmly to hope. On September 9, 2025, Mike was called Home to his Lord, passing peacefully at home with Lynnette by his side.

Mike will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a faithful man of God. His life was rich with adventure, love, hard work, and joy. He leaves behind a legacy of faith and family, with the hope of a joyful reunion in Glory.

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA