Michael "Mike" Franklin Held

Michael “Mike” Franklin Held, 58, of Ocean Springs passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 in Ocean Springs after a 27 year battle with cancer. Mr. Held was preceded in death by his father, Charles Franklin Held, and step-father, Weber Wilson Price. Mr. Held is survived by his wife of nearly 34 years, Dyane Polovich Held; his son, Michael Franklin Held, Jr. and his wife, Katie of Gulfport; his daughter, Lauren Held Smith and her husband, Jay of Biloxi; his mother, Betty Murphy Price of Biloxi; his brother, Stephen Charles Held and his wife, Georgia of Austin, TX; his two brother-in-laws, Keith Polovich and his fiancé, Michelle Saucier, and Richard Polovich and his wife, Terri of Biloxi; his sister-in-law, Beth Gilreath and her husband, Larry of Fairhope, AL; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mr. Held was born in Murphysboro, IL, raised in Biloxi, and was a long-time resident of Ocean Springs. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School and the University of South Alabama. He worked as an Operations Trainer at Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula, where he was employed for 25 years. Mr. Held was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church of Ocean Springs. He enjoyed making pottery, painting, playing the guitar, fishing, and gourmet cooking. Although, most will remember Mike for the love he had for his family. The visitation will be held on Friday, July 10, 2009 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Ocean Springs. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX at www.mdanderson.org, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-Mississippi Chapter at 408 Fontaine Place, Suite 104, Ridgeland, MS 39157, or St. Alphonsus Catholic School Scholarship Fund in Ocean Springs. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.