Memorial

Mikhael George Elossais, 70, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa went to be with the Lord on Monday October 9th, 2017. He was surrounded by his family. Funeral Service: 11:00 am Friday, October 13, 2017 at St. George Orthodox Church in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm Thursday, October 12, 2017 at St. George Orthodox Church with Trisagion Service beginning at 7:00 pm. Burial: St. George Orthodox Cemetery.

Mikhael was born May 6th, 1947 in Ain Arab Lebanon to George and Kareme (Nemer) Elossais as the fifth of six children. He grew up in Ain Arab, a small village in Lebanon, and came to the United States at the age of 26, carrying with him the dream of opportunity for a better life for himself and his family. He began his journey in Wichita, Kansas where he met the love of his life and wife of forty years, Debby (Tuttle) Elossais. After marrying, they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where they grew their family. Mikhael began work at the Cherry-Burell Company for many years until he fulfilled his ultimate dream of opening his own restaurant. Together with his wife Debby and brother Elie, they successfully ran the family restaurant for thirty years until he retired in 2012. 

Mikhael and Debby raised five children, with a very active role in the lives of their twelve grandchildren. As the patriarch of the family, Mikhael instilled the values of faith, family, and loyalty in his five children and twelve grandchildren. Mikhael had a passion for hunting, guns, and cars. These were passions that always included his children. 

He was a man who did not let obstacles stand in his way. He lived life to the fullest until the very end. He was like a father to his nieces and nephews and a significant figure and role model to his loved ones. He was a man of honor who was always prepared with sage advice. He especially enjoyed spending time with his twelve grandchildren whom he had a special name for each. 

Mikhael is survived by his wife Debby Elossais, their five children Karame (Fayez) Elessais, Katrin Elessais, Miriam (Sam) Kang, Christine (Ryan) Long, and George Elossais, as well as his brothers and sisters, Elie (Afifi), Sonia (Richard) Laham, Sally (David) Bunch, Suade Elossais, and Ensaf Kacere. He is also survived by his twelve grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from around the globe. 

A special thank you to Dr. Stahlberg and Dr. Kumar, as well as all the nurses at Mercy Hospital who looked after him, for their exceptional care. 

Memorials may be directed to St. George Orthodox Church or to the family for an established memorial in his name at St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Ain Arab, Lebanon.