Mike Criswell

When reflecting on the life of Michael Criswell, it is easy to see that he was the heartbeat of wherever he went. He was fun-loving, even adventurous at times with an insatiable zest for life that was contagious to all who were near. It was no secret to see that he was married to the love of his life, and together Michael and his wife witnessed their family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who were his greatest source of pride and joy. With a special place in his heart for animals and anyone in need, he was the sort of person who would do whatever he could to help anyone or anything. Deeply loved, he will be forever remembered by all who were blessed to know and love him.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as countless young servicemen and women were deeply entrenched in the throes of WWII. Back at home, rationing on common goods like sugar, paper, and coffee was commonplace while manufacturing was focused on supporting the war effort. It was as April dawned in 1943 that Alan and Vera B. (Ackerman) Criswell were preparing for the birth of their new baby. Finally, on April 14th, Michael was born in Kendallville, Indiana. He was one of fourteen children as he was joined in his family by his siblings, Richard, Dean, Louie, Arthur, Paul, Thomas, Edward, Fred, Garman, Larry, Bonnie, Barbara, and Hazel. It has been said that Mike loved fast cars, wild times, and mingling with the ladies as his mother stayed very busy trying to keep him out of trouble! He enjoyed helping his older brothers maintain the family farm, tending to the animals, and bailing hay. He idolized, his brother, Dean, and would often tell stories of Dean’s feats of strength in throwing bales of hay one handed. Mike’s lifelong passions were cars and tractors, and he also established his love for working on things while growing up. He left school early to help tend to the family farm as his brothers were all being deployed into the military. Following in the footsteps of his brothers, Mike entered the United States Army at age 17, as soon as he was eligible to enlist. He proudly served during the days of the Vietnam War.

With his military duties fulfilled, Mike returned home and was eager for all that life had in store. He worked in factories and in construction for a time, but he ultimately settled into a nearly 30 year long career in over the road truck driving. Mike’s work brought him all over the United States and even into Canada. He once woke up to a moose asleep on the bed of his semi and had to call the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to “shoo” the animal off of his truck. Mike was also known to bring critters home from his travels including a fighting chicken and a pair of peregrine falcon hatchlings that had fallen out of their nest. Mike retired from Smokercraft Marine in 2002.

Not to be forgotten during his years as a young man was Mike’s introduction to the woman of his dreams. Her name was Ada Sue Ramey, and they fell deeply in love not long after meeting. With a desire to build a life together, the sweethearts were married on May 20, 1972, at Community Baptist Church. Together they raised four boys including Gary, Larry, Barry, and Andrew into their hearts and home. Mike loved taking his wife and boys on the road with him, and together they saw 49 states and Canada between them. They raised their family in the home Mike built himself from 1979 through 1980. Mike loved to build, create, and fix things, but he often injured himself during his hobbies. However, he always got a laugh out of it and his family just learned to stay out of the way when “dad was fixing something.” Despite being frail, Mike finished his son Andrew’s house in South Bend, 30 years after he built his own house.

There was never anything of greater significance in Mike’s life than his family. When his boys got older and married, he was thrilled. Mike loved a good scare and often messed with his daughters-in-law by hiding in the dark and scaring them as they got out of their cars. He had a wonderful relationship with his mother-in-law whom he loved dearly. They would tease each other and laugh about getting older, argue about their sports teams, or just talk about the gardens. Mike was thrilled to become a grandfather later in life, and he loved being with his family. His favorite summer outing was taking the kids and grandkids to Dallas Lake Beach for swimming and picnics. Trips to the beach were often followed by poker games or nights of rummy with the family. Later in life Mike had two canine best friends, Howie the puggle and Louie the French bulldog, and they were his constant companions.

Throughout his life Mike was always on the go. He was known for his amazing Christmas displays including the Christmas lights that could be seen from a mile away. Mike’s biggest claim to fame was a 60 foot Christmas tree strung with lights, a 20 foot tv tower dressed with the Star of Bethlehem, and over 15 inflatable lighted blowups scattered through the property. During the summer he loved working on his lawn, landscaping, and tending to his garden as he was an outdoor lover. Mike loved college basketball and his IU Hoosiers and watching westerns, military movies, home improvement shows, and comedies.

Good natured, hardworking, and generous beyond beyond measure, Michael Criswell was a blessing to all who were near. He loved laughing and sharing laugher with those around him, and he was the king of practical jokes. A family man through and through, Mike loved being surrounded by the love of his family more than anything else. He will never be forgotten.

Michael Criswell, of South Milford, died on January 25, 2018 in Fort Wayne. Mike’s family includes his wife, Ada Sue Criswell of South Milford; 4 sons: Gary (Laramie) Ramey of Albion; Larry (Deborah) Ramey of Hudson; Barry Hepner of South Milford; and Andrew Criswell (Justin Duncan) of South Bend; ten grandchildren: Travis Weeks, Jay Weeks, Christopher Ramey, Karis Tuttle, Joshua Ramey, Jessica Evans, Michael Ramey, Damien Ramey, Hannah Ramey, and Eric Hepner; 8 great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Kenneth Van Wagner of Rome City; 8 sisters-in-law, Wilma Miller of Kendallville, Janice Ramey of Stroh, Marie Criswell of Olympia, Washington, Garnett Criswell of West Virginia, Donna Criswell of Kendallville, Jo Criswell of Edgerton, Ohio, Maudie Criswell of Kendallville, and Betty Lou Hendrix of Rome City; and canine son, Louie the French Bulldog. Mike was preceded in death by his 9 brothers: Richard Criswell, Dean Criswell, Louie Criswell, Arthur Criswell, Paul Criswell, Thomas Criswell, Edward Criswell, Fred Criswell, Garman Criswell; 3 sisters: Bonnie Ammerman, Barbara VanWagner, and Hazel Bloomfield; parents; nephew, Andy Ramey; great-granddaughter, Cherish Mae Tuttle; in-laws, Tandy and Geraldean Ramey; and his beloved canine best friend, Howie. A special gathering of friends and family will be held at Hite Funeral Home, Main Street, Kendallville, Indiana on Saturday, February 3, 2018, from 1:00 -4:00 p.m. Military graveside honors and interment will take place at a later date at Woodruff Memorial Gardens, Wolcottville, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hite Funeral Home in the name of Michael Criswell. Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home of Kendallville.