Michigan attorney Mike Hodge was found dead after a search of his home in Barry County

Michael “Mike” Hodge, a prominent election law attorney who advised former Gov. James Blanchard, was found dead Thursday following a search by police and volunteers that began this weekend around his home in Barry County.

Hodge, 76, of Delton, about 22 miles northwest of Battle Creek, suffered from dementia and disappeared after a hike, his daughter, Meghan Hodge Groen, said on Facebook, calling on the public to help find him.

Michigan State Police said in a news release Thursday that Hodge’s body was located after an extensive search from the agency’s Wayland post. He was last seen on November 8.

“This is truly the most unfortunate outcome for all of us,” the release said. posted on Xsaid. “We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers, partners and other law enforcement resources from near and far who assisted in the search for Mr. Hodge over the past several days.”

Hodge’s daughter also thanked those who helped with the search in a Thursday statement on Facebook.

“The outpouring of love, concern and support is a testament to the extraordinary way my father connected with people and impacted so many lives in his professional capacity, as a friend and as a loving father and grandfather,” Groen said. “We hope people will remember his incredible sense of humor, intelligence, charm, warmth and uncanny ability to connect with people.”

A volunteer with the search and rescue department of Christian Auxiliary Ministrieswho assisted in the search, found Hodge’s body Thursday afternoon in heavy brush south of Harrington Road, near Wall Lake, about a mile from his home, MSP Specialist Lt. DuWayne Robinson said.

“While we do not know the exact cause of death, there is no evidence of foul play,” Robinson said in an email Friday. “This case remains open pending further investigation, including an ongoing autopsy.”

Hodge worked for 40 years at Miller Canfield, a major law firm headquartered in Detroit, where as of Thursday he was still listed as counsel in the firm’s Lansing office. According to the law firm’s website, Hodge earned a bachelor’s degree from MSU in 1970 and a law degree from Detroit College of Law in 1975. Hodge served as legal counsel to Blanchard, a Democrat, from September 1987 to 1990.

Blanchard said Friday that he has known Hodge for more than 50 years, dating back to when both worked for former Attorney General Frank Kelley and the three sometimes traveled around the state, with Hodge driving and Blanchard tagging along as a special assistant to Kelley. There was much laughter as Kelley, who was a movie buff, regaled them both with humorous stories about movie stars and others, Blanchard said.

He said he remained good friends with Hodge and his wife, Nancy, and that Hodge recently attended Blanchard’s 80th birthday party.

“He was one of the most trustworthy and loyal friends anyone could ever have,” Blanchard said. “He was a good lawyer, but he was more than a lawyer. He became a friend and a devoted ally.”

Groen said on Facebook that Hodge, assisted by a caregiver Monday through Friday, was the caregiver for his wife, who has Alzheimer’s disease, and went for regular walks. The daughter started looking for him when she went to check on them Sunday morning and he wasn’t home.

Scott Eldridge, director of Miller Canfield’s Lansing office and a close friend, said Hodge had the rare combination of being feared and loved by legal opponents and admired by everyone he encountered.

“Mike’s brilliance as an astute orator and legal strategist in court was memorable and unparalleled,” Eldridge said in an email. “But it was his compassion for others, his dedication to mentoring younger lawyers and his dedication to his wife and family that shone every day and permeated his professional and personal life.”

In 1987, before working for Blanchard, Hodge represented People’s Campaign for Choice in a legal battle over the state’s payment for abortions for welfare recipients in Michigan, which both Blanchard and the People’s Campaign for Choice supported.

In 2008 and in 2012, Hodge represented former Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. and Dave Bing, in separate cases related to voting rights and city finances, respectively.

Friends and colleagues, who posted on Facebook following the news of Hodge’s death, described him as a smart and funny man who was a pleasure to work with.

Mark Brewer, a prominent Michigan election law attorney and former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, said Hodge was a friend and a good lawyer who taught him a lot.

“I worked with him on the 1992 State House recounts and he did legal work for the Michigan Democratic Party when I was chairman,” Brewer said in an email. “He was always insightful, provided sound legal advice and was a pleasure to work with.”

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or [email protected].