Our beloved husband, father, son, grandfather, and uncle, Michael W. “Mike” Clevenger, went to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning, February 13, 2013, at the Marion General Hospital Emergency Room following a brief and unexpected illness. He was 56 years old and from Marion.
On March 11, 1956, Mike was born in Marysville, Ohio, one of two children of Harold Clevenger and Nancy (Grooms) Snare. He was raised and went to school in Magnetic Springs, Ohio, until his family moved to Delaware, where he graduated from Delaware Hayes High School in 1974.
Shortly following graduation, Mike enlisted to serve his beloved country in the U.S. Navy, a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served as a ship electronic technician, ensuring missile systems fired appropriately. He was a member of the AmVets Post 584 in Marion.
Upon his honorable discharge, Mike returned home to Magnetic Springs, and began working at the Sunray Stove Company. After it’s closing, he ran his own shop known as Mike’s Small Engine Repair in Ashley. He then helped remodel hotels from state to state with the Mickey Stultz Construction Company. Later, he worked for the Ohio Galvanizing Corporation, as a fork lift driver. For the past 11 years, Mike has been a dedicated employee of the Whirlpool Corporation, again as a fork lift driver, having perfect attendance every year.
Getting a second chance at love, Mike was set up on a blind date with Viola Parsons, by her daughter, Julia, and they have cherished every moment together since their date. They were married on December 16, 1998.
A jack of all trades, Mike could do any project he put his mind to, anything from remodeling homes to fixing cars. He never stopped working, going from one project to the next, helping his family and friends as much as he could.
After learning to play the guitar when he was young, Mike enjoyed playing good old time country music the rest of his life. He also used to teach guitar lessons at his family’s music store in Delaware, Campus Music.
An outdoorsman, Mike enjoyed hunting and fishing “anywhere and everywhere”.
An excellent cook, Mike loved cooking for his family and friends, most especially using his smoker to make the best beer can chicken and briskets.
Despite his gruff exterior, anyone who truly knew Mike, knew he had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone.
Mike will be dearly missed by his wife, Vi Clevenger of Marion; three sons: Matthew (Kim) Flater of Marion, Michael (Susan) Flater of CA, and Carl (Sara) DeWar of IN; three daughters: Julia (Jeff) Harden of IN, Tina Hidvegi of CA, and Diane Harding of IN; 17 grandchildren; his mother, Nancy Snare of Marion; his father, Harold Clevenger of Marysville; a sister, Kim (Larry) Woerlein of Galion; two nephews: Shawn (Nicole) Woerlein of Galion, and Jason Woerlein of MI; a great-nephew; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved step-father, Kenneth Snare.
The Clevenger family will greet friends from 2 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 17th, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating his life will also be held there on Monday at 2:00 p.m., with Pastor Mark Mauldin officiating. Burial with military honors will be observed in Hopewell Cemetery in Magnetics Springs.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Mike’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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