Poem of Michael Wolff
by Aunt Dene and Uncle Leon Kyrish
Michael could be defined as someone who did it his way
And we're here to honor and celebrate his life on this memorable day
Mike's do it my way spirit began with the day of his birth
He chose the blizzard of '74 to come upon this earth
In his first year the Wolff's to Brazil were flung
Where Michael learned to speak in the Portuguese tongue
Two years in South America with Dana, Mom and Dad
Before returning to their Carbondale pad
But first to Texas - Grandma, Popo and the farm to see
Although it was July, Grandma insisted on a Christmas tree
Michael's love for nature on that Texas farm was allowed to grow
As were the seeds of independence which he began to sow
As we know, Mike did his own thing with no regrets
He transported chameleons and scorpions by plane as his new pets
Picture Mike sitting for hours watching critter and bug
This an image that gives Dana's heart strings a tug
In school with his teacher, he was quite clever
It was there Michael coined his response, "whatever"
At swimming and archery Michael was clearly the best
He'd much rather stroke and draw than take a test
The family's move to the country suited Michael to a tee
The hunting, fishing and hiking was life as he wanted it to be
In the woods, Michael spent hours in the summer heat and winter frost
Yet his Mom says he would never admit to getting lost
Stubbornness and persistence through Michael ran
It took 24 years of arm wrestle to finally beat his old man
Mike was kind and blatantly honest; he told no lies
All who knew him were moved by those big brown eyes
After high school his college days came into view
Michael studied agriculture at SIU
After graduation, Michael went to work with one regret
His love for conservation and animals he could not forget
Back to SIU where Michael had a change of luck
Working in a masters program and learning about the duck
Michael then took a job in Missouri - it was conservation
He jumped at the chance - there was no hesitation
Mike always knew what he wanted, that was part of his style
He quickly won over Jennifer with his big beautiful smile
Michael took one look at Jennifer and knew she was the love of his life
As was his way, he quickly said, "You will be my wife"
Like birds of a feather their love drew them together in a special way
So special, that Michael chose Dockers over jeans on his wedding day
Mike and Jennifer's life moved them throughout the Midwest
But with Gunner, "Cat" and good friends it was Walker they loved best
Last June Michael began the biggest battle
A true warrior, a hero, he fought and fought with grace
Until his final breath as he said he would
Mike fought more strongly and bravely than anyone else ever could
In the hospital, Michael's sense of humor went on despite the pain
He remembered good times and never showed anger even when his treatment was in vain
That in itself makes him a hero in our book
But other heroes deserve a special look
Lynn, Bob, and Jennifer were with him every step of the way
They were his rocks, his cheerleaders and his teammates every day
Michael, you touched so many lives in your thirty years
You brought laughter, you brought joy, and at the end so many tears
But love was something that you shared with all of God's creatures
You loved your family, your animals and likely even some of your teachers
Michael we will miss you, but never ever forget you
as you loved us all we will always love you
You are now with the Lord - the reward that is your due!
From Mike's Cousins:
Laura and Amy Kyrish, Todd and Jon Sunday
There are no words that we know how to say that can express our feelings. We all wish that we were there with you all to share this time of tribute and remembrance of Mike. Our love and prayers go out to all who know Mike and were part of his wonderful life.
When I see the word life, I realize that it is a small word that means so very much. Life is what we cherish, what we take for granted and life is what some people often times waste.
Mike didn't waste his life. He found the love of his life in Jennifer, Mike spoke of true partnership and shared love that they have. The joys of working, sharing and playing together are what make a marriage strong. The love and strength of that relationship can stand as a model for others to emulate. Thank God that he brought you together.
Mike found his calling to work in and with nature. With his job in Missouri he truly found his place. From dealing with the "idiot" birders to hunters that stayed too late or got lost on the way out, you could tell that Mike loved his work. Of course it's easy to love your work when it is also your favorite past time. As everyone knows Mike loved the outdoors, to be hunting or fishing was to be in heaven for him. His abilities with a bow or gun or fishing pole are legendary in the family. The stories of deer and duck hunts and fishing trips are things that will stay with us.
Mike cherished his life, when he and I spent a few days hunting we down in Texas we talked about different things. He knew that the fight for his life was going to be difficult and grim. But instead of focusing on that he talked of the wonderful things that he had in life and that he had accomplished. He was extremely proud of his family. I and everyone else could see the quite power of Uncle Bob in him along with the strong will power of Aunt Lynette. You shaped a boy into a man. I hope that I do as well with my children.
Whenever I have lost someone close to me, I look for a sign to remember them by. For Grandma it is baby animals, which represents her love of life and things new, for Popo it is beautiful lush crops of dark green leaves and straight rows which represent his love of the land and farming. For Mike, it will be ducks, as they fly through the sky or sit on a calm pond they will represent to me what Mike was. It is a fitting way to memorialize him by creating a wetland in his name. I hope that we can help in this venture and would suggest a family and friends reunion on that site when the wetland is dedicated.
Mike is in a better place now surrounded by friends and family. I'm positive that he is trying to organize hunting or fishing trips as we speak. I just hope he doesn't get all the big ones before we join him. God's speed Mike.
We will remember you always.