Michele E. McMichael Tau, 59, resident of 14034 Kiefer Road, Springboro, was called home by her Lord on Tuesday, May 5, 2011 at Meadville Medical Center. Born on April 1, 1952, in Meadville, she was the daughter of the late Barbara Jean Davis Skelton and Richard Leo McMichael of FL. She married Chester L. Tau June 4, 1977 and he survives.

Tau, Michele E. McMichaelShe was a 1970 graduate of Saegertown High School and a graduate of Minneapolis, MN lab technician program. Michele was employed as lab technician at Meadville Medical Center for 39 years.

Michele was a member of the Hickernell United Methodist Church and a 37 year member of Hayfield Grange, Crawford County Pomona Grange, PA State Grange, and National Grange. She currently was serving as Community Service Chairman and Ceres of Hayfield Grange and was Pomona Ceres. Michele and Chester were selected as PA State Grange Young Couple in 1983-84 competing in Portland, ME in 1984. She previously held the offices of Lady Assistant Steward and Junior Matron and Lady Assistant Steward and Youth Chairman in Crawford County Pomona Grange. In 2008 the Ralph Tau Family was recognized as the third place family in the National Grange Family of the Year contest.

Family surviving Michele include her husband, Chester of 33 years; four children – Michael of Springboro; Heather Tau and her companion, John Passamonte of Erie; Brenda Tau and her companion, Eric Parco, of Pittsburgh; Jennifer Jones and her companion, Judson Davis of Meadville; and adopted children – Jacqueline and Emily at home; grandchildren – Jade Tau and Aries Jones. She is also survived by two sisters – Connie Custer of FL and Barbara Jane Cely and her husband, Trey of GA; cousins – Tom Leffingwell of FL and David and Sherry Faulkner of TN, Jeannie Shields, Judy Chaplan, and Jack and Patty Walls all of Meadville and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death, in addition to her mother by grandparents Elmer and Thelma Mason and William and Grace Davis, and a son – Mark.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral services will be held at the Hickernell United Methodist Church, Springboro Road, Springboro, PA on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Robert Trask, pastor of the Church will officiate. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Hickernell Church, Hayfield Grange, or the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 915 State Street, Erie, PA 16507.