Craig Capell, and his wife, Lisa, holding $390,000 check

A Traverse City man is looking forward to living debt-free after winning a $25,000 a year for life Lucky For Life prize from the Michigan Lottery.

Craig Capell, 68, won the big prize when his Lucky For Life ticket matched the five white balls drawn on Nov. 13: 03-09-16-20-42. He bought his winning ticket at Oleson’s Food Store, located at 3850 North Long Lake Road in Traverse City.

“I always play Mega Millions and Lotto 47, and on the days there’s not a Mega Millions or Lotto 47 drawing, I play Lucky For Life,” said Capell. “I was at the store and realized it was a Lucky For Life day, so I bought my ticket. I was up early the next morning getting ready for a hunting trip and checked my ticket before I left.

“When I saw I’d won $25,000 a year for life, I couldn’t believe it. I had my wife look the ticket over and she was a little skeptical, so I looked online and saw a winner was sold at Oleson’s, which is where I bought my ticket. Once I got home from my trip, I called the Lottery to verify my ticket and that’s when I knew it was real!”

Capell visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim his prize. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000, rather than payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. With his winnings, he plans to invest, take a vacation, and live debt free.

“Winning still feels pretty unreal, but it’s a relief knowing we will be able to live debt free,” said Capell.

For just $2 per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash. To win the game’s top prize of $1,000 a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win $25,000 a year for life. Drawings take place at 10:38 p.m. seven days-a-week. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state and online at MichiganLottery.com.