6 famous people who took their last breath in Michigan

From Henry Ford to Rosa Parks, these six famous people were somewhere in Michigan when they died. 

Michigan, known for its Great Lakes and automotive heritage, has also been the final resting place for several notable figures who left their mark on American culture. From industrialists to civil rights icons, these celebrities drew their last breaths in the Wolverine State, leaving behind legacies that continue to shape our world.

Here’s a closer look at some of the famous individuals who said their final goodbyes in Michigan.

Henry Ford

The pioneering industrialist and founder of Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing and made automobiles accessible to the American middle class. Ford’s innovative assembly line and $5-a-day wage transformed not only the automotive industry but also American society.

Ford died on April 7, 1947, at the age of 83, in Fair Lane, his estate in Dearborn. He succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage, marking the end of an era in American industry. Thousands paid their respects during a public viewing at Greenfield Village before Ford was laid to rest in Detroit’s Ford Cemetery.

Sojourner Truth

A former slave who became a powerful voice for abolition and women’s rights, Sojourner Truth spent her final years in Battle Creek. Born Isabella Baumfree, she adopted the name Sojourner Truth in 1843, believing God had called her to travel and spread her message.

Truth died on Nov. 26, 1883, at her Battle Creek home. Her funeral, held at the Congregational-Presbyterian Church, drew nearly a thousand attendees. She was buried in the city’s Oak Hill Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy as a tireless advocate for equality and justice.

Harry Houdini

Born Erik Weisz, Harry Houdini captivated audiences worldwide with his daring escape acts and illusions. The Hungarian-American performer became synonymous with magic and showmanship in the early 20th century.

Houdini’s final performance took place at the Garrick Theater in Detroit on Oct. 24, 1926. Despite having a fever of 104 °F, he took the stage. He was hospitalized shortly after at Detroit’s Grace Hospital, where he died from peritonitis on Oct. 31, 1926, at the age of 52. His death, possibly linked to a punch to his abdomen by a student in Montreal days earlier, remains a subject of speculation among his admirers.

Rosa Parks

Known as the “mother of the civil rights movement,” Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955. This act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became a catalyst for the broader civil rights movement.

Parks spent her later years in Detroit, where she died of natural causes on Oct. 24, 2005, at the age of 92. Her death prompted nationwide tributes, including a rare honor of lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Parks was ultimately laid to rest in Detroit’s Woodlawn Cemetery, in a mausoleum renamed the Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel.

Stan Ovshinsky

A prolific inventor and scientist, Stan Ovshinsky held over 400 patents in energy and information technology. His innovations included the nickel-metal hydride battery, thin-film solar panels, and rewritable CD and DVD discs.

Ovshinsky died of prostate cancer on Oct. 17, 2012, at the age of 89 in Bloomfield Hills. His passing marked the end of a remarkable career that bridged scientific discovery and practical innovation, leaving an indelible mark on modern technology.

Alex Manoogian

Armenian-American entrepreneur Alex Manoogian founded the Masco Corporation and invented the Delta faucet, revolutionizing household plumbing. Beyond his business success, Manoogian was known for his philanthropy, particularly in support of Armenian causes.

Manoogian died on July 10, 1996, in Michigan. Initially interred in Detroit, his remains, along with those of his wife Marie, were reinterred in Armenia in 2007 with state honors, reflecting his enduring connection to his heritage and adopted homeland. He and his wife donated their mansion to the city of Detroit, which now uses it as the mayor’s home.

This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The ‘Gander staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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