Howell man wins $1 million prize from Michigan Lottery

Drawing Date: 12/8/2015

December 15, 2015 – A Howell, Mich., man is ready to help his family after winning $1 million playing the Michigan Lottery’s Mega Millions game.

Lawrence Kopczyk, 70, won $1 million by matching the five white balls drawn in the Dec. 8 Mega Millions drawing: 07-17-37-49-73. He bought his winning ticket at the VG’s gas station, located at 2392 West Grand River Avenue in Howell.

“My grandson helped me pick my numbers and when he heard that someone had bought a winning ticket at the VG’s we went to, he told me he was sure I was the winner,” said Kopczyk. “Even after he told me that, I waited a day to check my ticket.

“I sat down and checked the numbers one-by-one. Once I circled the fifth number, I yelled: ‘I finally did it!’”

Kopczyk visited Lottery headquarters with his wife and two of his three children on Monday to claim his prize.

In addition to a $1 million winner, Kopczyk’s ticket also included a $1 winner for matching the Mega Ball – 15 – drawn on Dec. 8.

“Winning $1 million is incredible,” said Kopczyk. “If that ‘15’ had been a couple of lines lower, it would have taken a team of morticians to get the smile off of my face.”

If Kopczyk had matched the five white balls and Mega Ball on the same line, he would have won the $57 million Mega Millions jackpot.

With his winnings, the retired Kopczyk plans to pay off his home and bills, supplement his retirement income, travel, and help his family.

“I’ve played the Lottery for 30 years, and one of the reasons I’ve always played was to help my family out. Finally being able to do that means everything to me,” Kopczyk said.