Imlay City Schools mourns loss of veteran educators Mike Powers, Eric Whitney

IMLAY CITY — Administration, staff, students and alumni are mourning the loss of two educators who served a significant portion of their teaching careers in Imlay City.

Mical “Mike” Powers died Aug. 25 at age 72; Eric Whitney died Aug. 31 at age 54 — both from illness. 

Both were well loved in the education profession and in the classroom alike. 

“It’s been a tough week for ICS, given the loss of Powers and Whitney, two well-respected and highly valued members of the ICS extended family,” said Superintendent Stu Cameron. “I was fortunate enough to work directly with both Mike and Eric, and I’m better for having known each of them. 

“It’s hard to fathom the collective impact these two had on literally thousands of young people during their careers, but it’s safe to say that each of them played a key role in the lives of the children and the families they served throughout their time as educators. Both were extremely dedicated to their calling and to caring for others.

“Both of these men have had a significant impact on ICS and especially on the kids and community they served. Their legacy as educators lives on in the students they taught and cared for during their time here, and in the hearts of the people they worked with here,” Cameron said.

Mical “Mike” Powers

Raised in Imlay City and later Brighton — where his father served as high school principal — Powers built an academic foundation at Adrian College, Central Michigan University, and Eastern Michigan University, according to his obituary. 

Armed with degrees in broadcasting and education, alongside a growing family after meeting his wife, Janis, while working at Brighton State Bank, Powers returned to his hometown in 1981 to launch a decades-long career in public education.

In the classroom and on the sidelines, where he coached everything from basketball and volleyball to Little League and girls’ golf, Powers was defined less by game plans than by his attentiveness to students on the margins. Colleagues and community members noted his instinct for identifying young people who were struggling or overlooked, consistently stepping in to offer mentorship, patience, and direct support.

“I first came to know Mike when I joined the Borland Elementary staff as principal. Mike was a seasoned veteran teacher and had long since established a reputation as a favorite among our students,” Cameron said. “The kids truly enjoyed his class. For many of them, Mike was the first male teacher they encountered during their K-12 experience.”

That impact resonated well beyond his retirement. Decades after leaving his classroom, former students regularly sought Powers out to credit him with fundamentally shaping their youth—not just as an educator, but as a stabilizing presence who ensured they were seen when it mattered most.

“Mike had a knack of reaching even the most challenging students and connecting with them. He would take time to really get to know his students,” Cameron said. “He was able to authentically connect with them easily and naturally, which truly endeared him to the kids he served. Anyone who was in one of Mike’s classes — and certainly all of us fortunate enough to work with Mike — have a ‘Mr. Powers’ story to tell. Mike was fiercely proud of his father, who is a teaching and coaching legend in the Imlay City Schools. 

“Mike kept his history alive, and with it, a lot of ICS’ history as well.” 

Dina Tallis, Imlay City Schools’ executive director-curriculum and instruction, spoke warmly of her time working alongside Powers at Borland Elementary, where Powers taught fifth grade during her tenure as building principal.

She recalled how Powers immediately made her feel welcome, sparking a close friendship rooted in their early morning conversations before the start of the school day. Over coffee and his signature Pepsi, Powers shared insights on education alongside stories of his life, his love of sports, and his deep devotion to his family.

While Powers maintained a fierce passion for teaching and athletics throughout his life, Tallis noted that his family always remained his top priority.

“I am incredibly grateful that my own professional journey gave me the opportunity to know Mike — not just as a teacher, but as the funny, passionate, proud, caring person that he was,” she said. “I am fortunate to be among the many people whose lives are a little richer because we knew him. He will be missed and very fondly remembered.”

Powers is Mike is survived by his wife, Janis; his children, Torey Powers and Janaye Powers (Gary Beidleman); his granddaughter, Sofia Beidleman; his brother, Patrick Powers; his sister, Kelly Powers; and many loving nieces and nephews. 

Read his full obituary at tinyurl.com/3m4az5t3. 

Services for Powers took place last week. 

Eric Whitney

Whitney, a veteran educator for more than 30 years, grew up in Lapeer. 

His early years were marked by an active childhood centered on gymnastics, volleyball, and tennis.

His education in the local school system spanned Elva Lynch Elementary and ET White Jr. High School, culminating in his graduation from Lapeer East High School in 1990. Pursuing a career in education, he earned a bachelor’s degree in teacher education from Michigan State University in 1994, later completing a master’s degree at Wayne State University in 2000, according to his obituary.

“He was one of the most talented educators I’ve ever worked with,” Cameron said. “He was really sharp — just extremely bright and so well-versed in curriculum, child development, effective programming, and teaching and learning methods. Although we were similarly experienced, having entered the field of education at the same time, I still learned so much from Eric during the time we worked together.”

Over a career in public education spanning more than three decades, he held a wide range of leadership and instructional roles across Michigan school systems. His administrative and teaching tenure included positions as a middle and high school teacher, an elementary school principal, and a central office administrator.

Throughout his 30-plus years in the field, he served several prominent systems, including Lake Orion Community Schools, Imlay City Schools, and the West Bloomfield School District.

“He was insightful, efficient, and assertive in the best possible way. If he believed something was good for kids, he would push hard to make sure that it happened,” Cameron said. 

“He was someone who was truly driven by doing what is best for kids at all times. He was well-read and intellectually curious. 

“Eric kept informed about the cutting-edge developments in education and research and was not afraid to pursue new initiatives and bring them to ICS. Eric carried himself in such a way that his actions would spur confidence in staff — there was always a sense that there was no problem or initiative so big that we couldn’t handle it. His leadership and approach to people really instilled a confidence in our staff and administration as well.”

Tallis offered high praise for Whitney, reflecting on a professional relationship that spanned multiple stages of her career, beginning when she was a teacher and aspiring administrator and he served as principal at Weston Elementary in Imlay City.

“At a time when I was thinking seriously about what kind of school leader I hoped to become, Eric provided an example worth following,” Tallis said, noting his student-first approach, high energy, and hands-on leadership style. “He brought high energy and unmistakable passion to the work, and was constantly visible throughout the building … never asking members of his staff to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself.”

That relationship evolved into a formal mentorship when Tallis succeeded him as principal at Weston while Eric transitioned into district leadership for Imlay City Schools. She credited his guidance, confidence, and encouragement during that transition with leaving a lasting mark on her professional approach.

Beyond his direct mentorship, Tallis emphasized Whitney’s broader impact across all levels of school operations, highlighting his ability to connect with staff regardless of position — from teachers and administrators to custodians, food service workers, and transportation personnel.

“His influence can be seen not only in the schools and programs he helped lead but in the countless people he encouraged, mentored, and inspired along the way,” she said.

Cameron also noted his admiration for Whitney’s love for his family. 

“Eric loved his family deeply and was so proud of his children,” Cameron said. “I learned a lot from Eric, and much of it didn’t have anything to do with education.”

He is survived by his wife, Melissa Russell-Whitney; his children, Grace McCarthy and her husband Logan, Avery Whitney, and Elliot Whitney; his parents, Alan and Cheryl Whitney; his sisters, Erin Wetzel and her husband AJ, and Nikki Whitney; and his parents-in-law, Margaret and John Russell.

Read the full obituary at tinyurl.com/3b8ap3u2. 

A memorial service for Powers will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Muir Brothers Funeral Home, 225 N. Main St., Imlay City.The family invites those wishing to honor his memory to consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (donorservices.alz.org), or to the GoFundMe of his beloved granddaughter, Sofia (gofund.me/0ee312c99), in honor of her courageous journey through childhood leukemia.