Michael A. "Mike" Stover

Mike never hesitated to reach out and offer help or kindness, or just a listening ear if that's what you needed. His strength was always there and it was dependable, no matter which path-bumpy or smooth-life decided to take.

Michael's family first welcomed him on August 9, 1953. At the time they were living in Las Vegas at Nellis Air Force Base where Michael's father, Alan Stover, was stationed. Later his father worked as a game warden and private investigator. His mother, Ruth (Meisenheimer), worked too. She was a highly skilled RN. As Michael grew older, Michael's mother, father, and sisters (Lisa and Hollie) began calling him "Mike" for short. Mike proved himself to be a typical brother-teasing and playful, but always protective. He had a kind and gentle nature with everyone and everything, especially animals. As a young boy, Mike had a dog named Buck. The two of them spent every waking moment together. It was a good thing that they did. One day, Buck pulled a struggling, drowning Mike out of the water, saving his life. From this moment forward, both animals and nature felt nothing but true respect from Mike. He would take the opportunity to be out in the wind and weather, no matter if he was hunting or just enjoying the fresh air. Once on a hunting trip, Mike breathed in a little bit too much of that crisp, clean air. His father happened to look over and caught Mike sleeping, the dog dozing right along with him.

Mike father wasn't stationed in Las Vegas for long. In fact, by the time Mike began school the family had relocated to Mio, Michigan, where his father was a game warden and later a private investigator. Mike attended a several different schools in Houghton Lake and Grand Rapids and eventually Reeths Puffer High in Muskegon. It was in high school that Mike first began exploring his love of sports. Football and track interested him most, but he also played softball and volleyball. He graduated from high school knowing not only that he loved sports, but also, that he wanted to go to college. He enrolled at Muskegon Community College and completed two years before joining the US Navy. For roughly four years Mike proudly served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Then it was back to school. With two years of community college already under his belt, Mike decided to continue his studies at Central Michigan University, where he could study computers.

Mike earned his Bachelor's degree. He worked in Grand Rapids for a while and then at Howmet Corporation. There, during an after work volleyball game, he met up with an attractive young woman named Joan Dykema. They dated, fell in love, and eventually the couple was ready to marry. As they stood looking into each other's eyes, they spoke their wedding vows in Muskegon at First Reformed Church on November 8, 1986. For the next four years, Mike and Joan remained in Whitehall, enjoying the newlywed life. Then, in 1990, Mike took a position at Alticor (formerly Amway), where he helped maintain the computer systems. The move to Grand Rapids turned out to be a good one. The work environment felt right to Mike, who would contribute his skill for the next 15 years.

Though his job and coworkers were wonderful, Mike's happiest moments had to be those spent with his family. He was thrilled when his first daughter, Kimberly, arrived on October 31, 1989; and when Stephanie was born on February 10, 1993. He went to their sporting events and cheered them on; he took them biking and to the beach. Mike loved sharing his passion for nature with his girls, and looked forward to the trips they'd take as a family to The Blue Lake Resort, where they'd settle into a cottage and have a great time just being together.

While Mike stayed busy with his family and his work, he also made time for a few hobbies. He was a loyal Detroit Lion, Tiger, and Piston fan, but was getting to be a fan of the Green Bay Packers, his nephew's favorite team. Mike's enthusiasm for sports never wavered either. He played indoor soccer, and proved himself a valuable volleyball player on both his church and work teams. If you were in the mood for a game of golf, Mike was always up for that too. Really, spending time outside in any way never failed to put Mike in a good mood, no matter what the weather. After all, one of Mike's favorite things to do was to sit and watch the thick, ominous clouds of a thunderstorm roll in. Then, when the storm lifted, he'd be right back out there again, likely next to the grill cooking up something delicious for dinner. He and Joan also shared an enjoyment of photography.

Mike's faith was very important to him too. When he and Joan moved to Grand Rapids, they joined the Richmond Reformed Church and Mike had served as a deacon. Being involved with the men's Bible study and supporting church causes brought Mike a great deal of joy, though surely no one felt it more than the countless people touched by Mike's compassion and generosity. His niece, Beth, was certainly one of these people. She lived with Mike and Joan for a year while she was in college. The experience brought them all closer together, and became a special time they would always treasure.

When Mike learned that he was sick with cancer, he never complained. Instead. he looked to the words of II Corinthians, Chapter 4 from the Bible; and he worked to inspire others-particularly his family. Mike had a way of comforting them like no one else could. The innate kindness and compassion in his character led all of them through the difficult days and the better ones. Mike stayed active at church and participated with Gilda's Club, an organization devoted to addressing the emotional health of families facing cancer. All of Mike's friends rallied around him, especially his cousin Jim Moore. For Mike, Jim was more than family; he was a great and honored friend. Everyone's love touched Mike-that of his wife and daughters, his nieces, nephews, and great-nieces, friends, coworkers, and pets. Mike never hesitated to show any of them just how much he appreciated their presence, and most of all, their unconditional love.

Mike's strength of mind and character put him among the best of men. The people whose lives he touched will always remember him, as well as the laughter, kindness, and inspiration he brought into their lives.

Michael Alan Stover, aged 52, of Grand Rapids entered the presence of his Lord on December 18, 2005 after a courageous battle with cancer. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Stover; and sister-in-law Carol Dykema. Mike is survived by his wife, Joan (Dykema) Stover; children Kimberly and Stephanie Stover; father Alan (Sandra) Stover; sisters Lisa (Patrick) Harbron, Hollie (Todd) Prins; father-in-law and mother-in-law Nicholas and Mary Dykema; brothers-in-law Robert (Patricia) Dykema, John (Lisa) Dykema; nieces and nephews Sarah (Scott) Dykman, Elizabeth (Phillip) Nicholson, Kellie Harbron, Steven Harbron, Blake Prins, Lance Prins, David Dykema, Nick Dykema, Jack Dykema, Harry Dykema; great-nieces Emma Lee Dykman and Ella Dykman.

Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Tuesday from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes-Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 21, at Richmond Reformed Church at 1 PM. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign the online guestbook. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mike's memory may be made for his children's college education payable to Huntington Bank F.B.O. Kimberly and Stepanie Stover and forwarded to the family or the funeral home.