He was on the council of Misenheimer since its incorporation and saw the many changes to Pfeiffer University and the village in which it exists.

Michael Burrage, who served on the Misenheimer Village Council since he was first elected in 2005, passed away Wednesday.

Burrage had retired from Shultz Homes Manufacturing after having worked for the company for more than 30 years, along with when the company was called Oakwood Homes. He was a Misenheimer native and lifelong member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.

Mayor Michael “Frizbee” Herron remembered Burrage as “the voice of reason” on the council.

“I’ve known Mike for 50 years because I went to Pfeiffer in 1970,” Herron said. “He was always honest and forthright.”

The village’s mayor said Burrage “might agree or disagree with anyone of us on council, but he was always able to express it in a way that made you think.”

Herron also said Burrage “was well regarded by the community.”

Former mayor and councilman Dr. Mike Riemann called Burrage “a fixture on the council,” adding, “he knew more about the history of the village than other elected officials and that was very helpful. His family were long-term residents and he contributed in a major way in terms of clarifying historical questions.”

Riemann agreed with idea of Burrage being the voice of reason, adding he was “thoughtful, reasoned and liked to have the actions discussed in some detail before he came to a conclusion. He was a reasonable person; that’s a good description of Mike.”