Michael Volker

Some people live long lives, scattered here and there with triumphs and achievements. Others, like Michael Volker, are granted a short time on earth, but are able to fill every day of their life with energy, life and love. Mike had a great outlook on life - he "played hard, lived hard and loved hard." He lent his sense of humor and compassion to everyone around him and in doing so, brightened many lives.

In the year 1969, America was in the midst of a radical cultural change motivated by war, political unrest and the Civil Rights Movement. For Robert and Diane (Wechsler) Volker of Kalamazoo, Michigan, it was family itself that changed in this year as they celebrated the birth of their first child, son Michael, on July 4th. In fact, Diane recalled how she could hear the fireworks going off at the Kalamazoo Fairground from her hospital room at Borgess Hospital. Mike was later joined by his little sister, Hollie.

Mike was a very exuberant child with a boatload of energy. He played rocket football and later got interesting in BMX biking. Like most boys, Mike had a slight gleam of mischief in his eyes and his daredevil attitude never let him back down from a new adventure. Sadly, his parents divorced in 1972, and his father moved to Florida. Mike didn't see or get to know his real father until he was a teenager. Meanwhile, Mike, his mother and sister moved to Orangeville Township, where they had 20 acres of land and lots of animals to go with it. Mike loved the outdoors where his adventurous spirit could roam and have fun. He learned to fish and hunt, and loved to go camping with his family, especially to the big campgrounds in Kentucky.

Mike received his education at Comstock Elementary, Delton Middle School and Galesburg High School. Although he left school before graduating, he later got his GED. Mike was a very hard worker and held various construction jobs, including subcontracting aluminum roofing and window work. In his leisure time, Mike liked reading, especially Dean Koontz books and the Bible. He was a huge Dale Earnhardt fan and even had a tattoo in his honor and almost every shirt he owned had Dale on it. When Dale tragically died, Mike became a Dale Jr. fan and cheered him on. He just loved NASCAR and attended a few races too.

Above all else, though, Mike found the greatest happiness in spending time with his family. He simply adored his nieces and nephews and they in turn loved their "Uncle Mikey." They always had fun when he was around. He would take them for quad rides and like a big teddy bear, cuddle with them. Mike was also very close with his stepfather, Fred, who his mother married about four years ago - Mike liked to call him "Freddie Edward." With a heart bigger than Texas, Mike enjoyed helping elderly folks, which earned him many adopted grandparents who loved him dearly. On several occasions, Mike grew his hair out so he could give it to Locks of Love. About a year and a half ago, Mike moved to Florida in hopes of developing a relationship with his real father. The true love of Mike's life, however, was his fiancée, Sheree' Edwards. They had been together for 10 years and she was truly his everything in life. Heartbreakingly, Sheree' died unexpectedly five years ago, leaving Mike utterly devastated and inconsolable.

Mike had a fun-loving, kind personality that endeared him to everyone he met. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tease his mom, sister and grandma. Some of his favorite sayings were "Git-R-Done" and "Toodles" and he liked calling everyone "Clampett." When you try to define the sort of person Mike was to his family and friends, you imagine someone who is an all around good person, who loves his life and his family, who always makes himself available when he is needed. This is how Mike will be remembered, as a man whose heart was certainly his strongest attribute.

Michael Volker, age 37, died of injuries sustained in an accidental fall in Florida, on September 15, 2006. Learn more about Mike, view his Life Story Film, and visit with his family on Wednesday, September 20, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Vicksburg, 409 South Main Street, where his service will be held on Thursday, September 21, at 11 a.m. Mike's family includes his father, Robert Volker of Florida; mother and stepfather, Diane and Fred Schmidt of Vicksburg; sister, Hollie DeYoung of Portage; half-sister, Bobbi Lynn Smith of Kalamazoo; step-brothers: Michael and Sue Schmidt of Flint and Jeff and Vicky Schmidt of Vicksburg; grandmother, Betty Copenhafer of Florida; and nieces and nephews: Kody and Sierra DeYoung, and Adren, Abigail, Jakob and Heather Schmidt. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Edward & Dorothy Wechsler, and Robert Volker. Please visit Mike's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the Locks of Love or the Alzheimer's Association.