Mike had a good run at life. He was 77 years old but refused to act his age. He was an avid motorcyclist and motorcycle advocate.
After graduating from Westwood High School in 1966, he went to Vietnam and served his country with honor. He was on the front line as a member of the Big Red 1 and received many medals and commendations, including two bronze stars. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.
Mike’s greatest passion was ABATE of Ohio, for whom he was Chairman of the Board. He spent endless hours, day after day, advocating for motorcycle safety and education. He believed in this cause so much that he also belonged to ABATE in Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota & Wisconsin. He sat on the Road Riding Commission for the AMA, was a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. He took his cause to the street, partnering with Safe Communities of Wood County, Safe Communities of Lucas County and collaborations with Motorcycle Ohio. He testified in front of Ohio lawmakers working to enact laws that are motorcycle friendly and stop those that encroached on motorcycle freedoms.
Mike’s family was his greatest joy. He showed pictures of his new Grandson, Levi, to anyone who stood still long enough, friends or strangers. He and Kay were married for 42 years and she was his partner in everything he did. They recently took up camping to spend more time with his son Harley and his wife Nicole and of course, Levi. He lived close to his sister Cindy and her husband Butch and spent many holidays and celebrations with them. Not to mention many mexican and margarita dinners.
Since all that wasn’t enough for a guy as social as Mike, he was a driver for Tom Baer at BG Airport Shuttle. He truly enjoyed meeting all of the people he drove. He especially liked talking to the young college students, being interested in their plans for when they graduated. Mike could talk to anyone about anything!
Mike is survived by his wife Kay, his son and daughter in law Harley & Nicole and Grandson Levi, his daughter Andrea, his sister and brother in law Cindy & Butch, numerous nieces and nephews, and the date night crew, Charlotte, Dave & Pam, Rick & Linda, Sharon & Tom and Tom & Nancy.
He was preceded in death by his parents John Stock and Maude Clingo, brothers Tom Stock and Ronnie Stock.
Mike’s wish was to have a party to have a drink with him when he’s gone. It will be Sunday September 8th from noon to 4pm at the American Legion, 12580 S River Rd, Grand Rapids, OH. That is Grandparent’s Day so Levi will be the star.
If you wish to honor Mike, please join ABATE of Ohio or make a donation in his name to ABATE of Ohio, PO Box 313, Weston, OH 43569. Thank you all for being part of his life.
Arrangements have been entrused to Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, Bowling Green www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
