- Born on: January 17, 1951
- Departed on: October 12, 2013
Michael "Mike" Havill
Mike was the truest of friends. I remember our 8th grade year we were both on the wrestling team. I remember him pinning every opponent. Since he was my practice partner I improved greatly that year never coming close to beating him. We would laugh about my wrestling inadequacy! Years later I would hear of his Vietnam service and see pictures of him and his buddies. I am sad to finally hear of his passing but so glad to have called him my friend. Rest in Peace my brother in arms.
I remember talking with Mike right after he enlisted. I cannot say I understood at that time but I do know he was looking forward to the adventure. Posted by: Steven Brown - Golden, CO - Classmate...MV 1970 Oct 24, 2013
In the summer of 1966 my parents bought a big old house in Mt. Vernon and began the project of completely renovating it. The job turned out to be bigger than either of them expected, but once the walls and the ceilings were sledge-hammered out it was too late to turn back. Anyway, my mother hired some friends of mine to work for a little money and all the pretzels and pop they could consume. Mike was a person I particularly remember from that project. It was hard work but we also had fun. This was probably before OSHA existed, but if they had known about what a bunch of 14 and 15 year old kids were doing they would have shut it down, I'm sure. We helped tear everything out and we helped put it back, and we finished all the woodwork in that house. Mike worked hard and carefully, and afterwards took a lot of pride in what we accomplished. Our paths crossed very rarely after high school, but that was a good summer.
We hung together for awhile and he was a true friend from high school. A higher complement can hardly be given in this life. Although he didn't wrestle that much, I remember one night when he brought the auditorium to a roar. Wish you wings of an eagle, Mike. Posted by: Mike Easker - Richmond, CA - friend of mine Oct 24, 2013
I am so sorry to read of the passing of my good friend Mike Havill. We shared many fun and great times together in Mt. Vernon. Mike had a wonderful sense of humor and he considered everyone he met to be his friend. My prayers and thoughts go out to all Mike's family and friends. Mike will never be forgotten.
I remember a few times coming to see you in clear lake, you were always excited to see us! I don't have a lot of memories because i hadn't seen you for quite sometime, but just the other day i was looking through a photo album that grandma had put together for me and there was a picture of gretchen and i each sitting on one of your knees around the camp fire out at the farm house. you will be greatly missed and we love you
I'm sad today. When I think of Mike I can laugh and smile at everything we did. We had so much fun. Loved him. Gwen
You will be greatly missed Uncle Mike. I still remember out at the farm house when you were visiting us and I was sitting under a coffee table next to the couch when I stole a sip of a beer you were drinking (I was only about 8 or 9) :) You caught me, but laughed it off! We will all miss you and love you bunches
I was on the Mustang football team with Mike in our senior year and to this day remember his performance in a tough, hard fought game at Mid-Prairie. It was, as I recall, essentially the game that decided who the Eastern Iowa Hawkeye Conference champions would be. We lost that game but I remember how hard Mike played and was within a few feet of him when he was tackled while carrying the ball. The hit was so hard that I remember him closing his eyes as he was hit and could see the pain in his face. But he got up out of the mud and carried on. That's how I'll always remember Mike. Godspeed old friend.
Mike always had a smile and the ability to share a laugh with a friend. Our times spent together in Mt Vernon with other friends molded each of us into who we are. We should all be proud to have had the opportunity to call Mike our friend. Posted by: Dennis Kirkpatrick - Des Moines, IA - friend Oct 22, 2013
I love you. You meant everything to me. You were a good son and grew to be a great man. You will always be in my heart. One day we'll meet again. Mom
I was saddened to hear of Mike's death. I was a classmate of Mike's and I was proud to call him my friend and teammate. Mike had a wonderful sense of humor, he loved to have fun and he found the good in everyone he met. I have many great memories of Mike and he brightened the lives of all that knew him. He will be missed. Posted by: Jerry Van Dyke - Marion, IA - Friend Oct 24, 2013
