Milan 'Sonny' Shegan

TROUT CREEK, Mich. — Milan “Sonny” Shegan passed away at his home in Trout Creek Friday, April 26, 2013, following a courageous 10-year battle with cancer.

 He was born Oct. 3, 1938, in McKeesport, Pa., to the late Mike and Milka Shegan. Sonny served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Following his discharge, Sonny worked for 30-plus years as a police officer. He served on three police departments: Forest Heights, Md., Bladensburg, Md., and Laurel, Md. During his career, Sonny was instrumental in developing training programs for fellow police officers. He was also part of the security team in Laurel when Gov. George Wallace was shot. Sonny’s hand can be seen helping Wallace in the photograph that appeared on the cover of Life magazine.

 He retired in 1988 as Deputy Chief of Police of Laurel and moved to Trout Creek where he and his wife, Mary, established Double Tree Ranch and raised beef cattle. In the early 90s, Sonny was hired by the tribal chairman of Lac Vieux Desert to work with the court system. His hobbies were calf roping, team roping and judging rodeo competitions.

 He is survived by his wife, Mary Shegan, of Trout Creek; children, Carrie (Ken) Pung, of Charlotte, and Mike (Joanne), of Chelsea; and grandchildren, Jim Curtis III, of Coldwater, and Cash Shegan, of Chelsea.

 Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ray, and sister, Marlene.

 Funeral services for Sonny will be held at the Cane Funeral Home-Bruce Crossing Chapel on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at noon.

Friends may call at the Cane Funeral Home-Bruce Crossing Chapel today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as well as Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

 Due to an impassible road to the Shegan residence, a hospitality room has been set up at the VFW Hall in Bruce Crossing for friends before and after services today and Tuesday. Those family and friends who are coming in from out of town are encouraged to stop at the VFW Hall.

 Spring interment will be in the Agate Cemetery in Trout Creek.

Those who wish to may make contributions in Sonny’s name to Sonco Ambulance, 5480 Highway M-28, Bruce Crossing MI 49912 or Portage Health Home Care & Hospice, 821 W. Water St., Hancock MI 49930.