Michael E. Jacobs

He was born on Dec. 29, 1944, in Great Bend, Kan., the son of the late Lawrence and Evelyn (Schauf) Jacobs. Mike grew up on the family farm in Dubuque, Kan. and attended the Dubuque Catholic School and graduated from Claflin, Kan. high school with the class of 1963.

He then graduated from Hutchinson Junior College in 1965 and completed his degree in mortuary science from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1967. After graduating, Mike interned at Elliott Mortuary in Hutchinson. He then moved to Pueblo, Colo. and was employed at T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home.

Mike married the former Toni Prickett on Feb. 14, 1970, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hutchinson, and the couple made their home in Pueblo. In 1972, they moved back to Kansas City (Johnson County) and Mike was employed by Muehlebach Funeral Home in Kansas City, Mo.

In June 1978, Mike and Toni moved to Iron River after purchasing the Duvall Funeral Home. They operated the funeral home for the next 33 years as the Duvall-Jacobs Funeral Home and then as Jacobs Funeral Home Inc. of Iron River.

Their son, Paul, joined them in business in 2007 and after Mike retired on June 1, 2011, Paul took over ownership and continues operating the business today. Mike and Toni were three days shy of celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary.

Mike was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church in Iron River and was a third-degree knight of the Iron River Council 2300 Knights of Columbus and a former member of the Iron River Elks Lodge #1671. During his career Mike held memberships in the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Director Association.

In retirement he enjoyed spending the winter months at their home in Scottsdale, Ariz. and summers at the family cabin on Hagerman Lake. Mike also liked riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, sailing, collecting clocks, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was also an accomplished finish carpenter and an avid gadget person.

Mike is survived by his wife, Toni; son, Paul (Megan) Jacobs of Iron River; daughter, Jennifer (Derek) Cardinal of Marquette; brother, Lawrence Jacobs of Hoisington; sister, Joyce (Gilbert) Viets of Naples, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Jacque Henry of Wichita, Kan. and Debra (Tim) Richards of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren, Owen, Aiden, and Evan Cardinal and Landon and Hadley Jacobs; aunt, Patty Lucas of Omaha, Neb.; nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was also preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Dick Miller and in-laws, Gene and Doris Prickett.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Feb. 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Timothy Ekaitis to offer the Mass of Christian Burial.

Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church or the Northwoods Animal Shelter.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Michael E. Jacobs online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.

Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home Inc. of Iron River.