Brian Lee Schalow

Brian Lee Schalow,  66, of Mancelona, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2026 surrounded by his family.  

   He was born on June 16, 1959, to Donald and June (Stowell) Schalow in Lansing, MI.   In 1992 after vacationing up north in the Traverse City area for many years he decided to make it his full-time home, which is where he met the love of his life, Ellen.

   Brian was a loving husband,  devoted father and grandfather.

   He is survived by his wife Ellen, two daughters Brooke (Adam) Shaffer, Ashley (Nick Mansour) and one grandson Keegan Jauw.   He is also survived by 2 sisters, Kim Davis and Marsha (Joseph) Rosser,  2 brothers, Randy (Lizbeth Sauceda), Brent (Joyce Vilamore, his mother-in-law Evelyn Coger, his brother-in-law Mike Coger, 3 sisters-in-law Joyce Fouts (John Cassidy), Connie (Kevin) Wing, Carolyn (Shawn) Simmonds, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his parents Don and June Schalow, brother Gary, father-in-law Bill Coger and brother-in-law Brewster Fouts.

   Brian was very mechanically inclined which came in handy many times.   He helped his daughter build barns for horses, move to and from West Virginia and diagnose a car problem as “it’s just out of gas”.   There wasn’t much that he couldn’t do or fix which saved him lots of money.

   Brian loved bowling in his younger years and golfing all his life along with spending as much time as he could with his family and his fur baby Daisy, the Great Dane.

   No services are planned at this time.   A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Help From my Friends (Animal Shelter) 3605 S. Derenzy Rd., Bellaire, MI,  49615.

   Arrangements are in the care of the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

   Online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.