Condolence From: Teri and Zig Fortunka
Condolence: A short 29 years ago Teri & I had the honor and privilege of becoming Michael's Godparents. He was a small child full of promise. He hasn't been small for quite a while, but he's always been full of promise and achieved quite a lot in his short life, especially the loving and positive influence he had on everyone: family, friends, and others.
Our shock and deep sadness at his passing is somewhat tempered by the belief that he is now at rest and no longer suffering from the internal demons that plagued him for so long.
Michael, words cannot adequately express our grief at your loss. Please know that you will always be remembered in our tears, thoughts, and prayers.
Tuesday June 21, 2016
Condolence From: Robert L. Oberhofer
Condolence: To send condolences would be a understatement. This is one of the pains I'd never wish on anyone. Mike I want to say I will always have you in my heart brother. You and Mark were my brothers since Kindergarten. We spent almost our entire childhood together, especially Christmas mornings to see what video games we got from Santa :) . Having to even type this make me nauseous and tear up. God is lucky for he has gained another Angel and a extremely strong one at that. Hurts to say much more I love you all I'm here if you need anything
(337)-396-6320.
Saturday June 18, 2016
Condolence From: Robinson Family
Condolence: Dearest Friends,
Our family is shocked and saddened to hear of Michael's passing. We would like to offer our sincere condolence and deepest sympathy. Our families have shared many happy memories over the years. Words can't express the sorrow we feel over the passing of Michael. He will always be within your heart and the many others that loved him and as close as a beautiful memory. Please know that we are thinking of your family and praying for peace and comfort. Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that the your family is always in our thoughts and prayers.
Please hold tight to your memories for comfort, lean on your friends and family for strength, and always remember how much you are loved. We want you to know that we are always here for you.
Thursday June 16, 2016
Condolence From: Lee Riddle
Condolence: My condolences to the family. Mike was one of the funniest kids I hung around with as a kid, and he always brought a smile to everyone's face. Rest in peace.
Tuesday June 14, 2016
Condolence From: Mom
Condolence: Our family lost a huge part of ourselves a week ago. Michael, our son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend passed away suddenly on June 4. To say our hearts are broken is an understatement, and we are having difficulty understanding so many things. Michael was truly one of a kind with a unique sense of humor and I don't think right now I can say much more other than we believe that Michael is absolutely in a much better place, surrounded by the love of all those who have gone before him. We know he is at peace and no longer feeling the suffering he seemed to battle with here on earth. Michael is now playing his guitar happily in heaven, and even hopping into one of the big rigs he drove here, on his way to see the sights he loved most. Michael felt relaxation and contentment driving the open road all throughout the USA and his favorites included Nebraska, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as the Idaho moon and the Nevada sun. You are only gone a week and I see you, hear you and feel you everywhere and I miss you so much. Rest peacefully, my beautiful son, but never stop "Makin' da music!" I love you, Michael!
Monday June 13, 2016
Condolence From: Fred Schauvinhold
Condolence: Mike, I first met you a few days in my Sophomore / your freshman year Montclair state. I thought you were cool and we both shared our love for growing out our hair and the band Atreyu. Soon after we met Brett and Tony and we all became good friends. We shared many great memories while we dormed together including: those days spent playing mortal kombat, mario baseball and rbi baseball, how Tony and you used to wake me up by playing that one Goo Goo Dolls song on the guitar, our lunches where you used to eat just broccoli and blue cheese dressing and we would always get a coffee or hot chocolate with whip cream before we headed off to class, our late night trips to the Rat where we'd get mac and cheese bites and mozzarella sticks, the time you broke my tv-I heard something crash in the room from the hallway and when I walked in you told me you had only dropped a fork on the floor-I still think about that to this day and it cracks me up, when you hung out with us in north jersey and locked your car keys in the car and then Tony had to drive you all the way back down to jackson to get the spare set of keys, how we'd spend hours in front of our mirror comparing each other's hair, when we went hiking for July 4th and you decided to wear flip flops and by the end of the hike your feet were covered in mud, our late night fire drills, watching Kung Pow on a fairly consistent basis. So many great memories!
We lost touch over the past few years, but I often still think about the great times we had in college. You were a very good guy and I'll miss you buddy.
Monday June 13, 2016
Condolence From: Isley
Condolence: There are so many amazing memories that come to mind when I think of Mike. Late night drives to the inlet where we’d lay on the jetty or play a huge game of volleyball. Waiting on line for SEVEN hours to ride Kingda Ka on opening day — and then being forced to leave because Mike had a date he just couldn’t miss. (I’ll never let you live that down, Mike!) We went from immature high schoolers to probably equally as immature college freshman together. No matter how much we bickered like brother and sister back then, we always had each other's backs. He had everyone keeled over with laughter when he bleached his feet in the washing machine - yes, with actual bleach!— because his Uggs had turned his toes jet black. (Disclaimer: it didn’t work.) The first time we ever hung out he mooned me, just to make me laugh. The last time we hung out we acted like we were 15 again - laser tag, go-carting, arcade games. We all joked that even though we were 30, we’d never grow up. He taught me that everything in life happens for a reason. Life pulled us in different directions, but we found our way back into each other lives and i will forever be grateful for that. Mike may be gone, but he will never, ever be forgotten. He’ll be missed and forever hold a special place in my heart. My deepest deepest condolences to his parents, his family and to all who loved him.
Sunday June 12, 2016
Condolence From: Uncle Philip
Condolence: Mike,
Where do I begin, at the beginning obviously. First time I met my youngest nephew, you did not speak much, but man could you ride a spring loaded Klippity Klop horse, It was huge, many times your weight and size. You had it's frame leaping in the air. It was a stationary thing, though you had it moving across the room. I said, "that boy is a wild pony, a true mustang, this one will not be tame." I also saw a very special twinkle in your eyes, and a certain smirkish smile. It was like looking at a live action 3D mirror, I saw a lot of myself. I understood you, and you were in control, and pranking. As you aged those eyes, and that, I am up to something smile was always there. you pulled some funny stuff on me, especially when you became phone and tech savvy. You took me from fear/anger/laughter, all in one prank. I would say, is this sh.t real or is it Mike. You always stayed in character, When you finally gave the jig up, I always had some true Italian Jersey Uncle reply."Like ya know , crazy S..O..B, I'll get ya back." Thanks for those times, Sorry you had to leave us so soon. I wish you could have met my mom your grandma, she would have loved trying to tame you. She was a 4'10" little thing. She had this shoe throwing technique, as you were running, just when you would cut left, and thought you were in the clear, the shoe would hook left and get ya. It was followed by one of those Jersey type replies I used earlier. Mike I firmly believe G-Pa and G-Ma have you now, and are showing you around the place. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I will deeply miss you. Grandpa never liked the word goodbye, he used goodnight. So Mike, until we can all meet again, I just want too tell you, I love you and goodnight.
Much Love,
Uncle Philip
Saturday June 11, 2016
Condolence From: Diane & Phil Koehler
Condolence: Dear Donna & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. May the memories you cherish always be a source of comfort.
With deepest sympathies.
Diane & Phil Koehler
Friday June 10, 2016
Condolence From: Aunt Angie
Condolence: Michael held a very special spot in my heart. His dark brown eyes showed so much emotion. Weather it be happiness, sadness or even mischief! He loved to play pranks and jokes on people. He was very young at heart.
I know he used his music a lot to try and voice his feelings. Playing his guitar I think gave him some peace.
His passing will leave a void in my heart forever.
Friday June 10, 2016
