Mike Casey

Michael Maurice Casey, son of the late Wayne Benny and Wilma Faye (Todd) Casey, was born May 17, 1952, in Springfield, Missouri, and passed away July 5, 2018, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He was 66 years, 1 month, and 18 days of age.
Mike grew up in the Dawson community. He attended school at Dawson, Morning Sun, Mountain Grove, and Hartville until the fourth grade.

Mike was baptized at an early age, and he was a member of the Church of Christ of Mountain Grove. He was always on the front pew, and took notes during the sermon. He also handed out the church bulletins after Sunday service, making sure that everyone received one.

Mike never met a stranger. He told everyone he saw that he loved them and he honestly meant it. He dearly loved to eat yogurt, eggs, and drink soda pop. Mike liked to clean things, organize spaces, and fold laundry. Going to visit Aunt Dorothy was near the top of his list of favorite things. He would start packing when he saw her coming down the driveway. He enjoyed painting by number, and liked copying and typing stories from the encyclopedia. He also spent time pretending he was running a business. But one of the greatest highlights of his days was to put on a suit and tie, mow the grass in the ditch in front of the house, and wave at all of the vehicles that passed by. The neighbors would always honk in return for one of Mike’s big waves.

Besides his parents, Mike was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ann Besson, and one nephew, Brandon Besson.

He is survived by one sister, Martha Moody and her husband, Lonnie, of Mountain Grove, five nieces and nephews, Justin Sutherland, Jodi Sutherland, Bryant Besson, Adam Besson, and Dillon Moody, great nieces and nephews, Trystan, Macenzie, Colton, Blake, Jaden, Gracie, and several other great-nieces and nephews, and other relatives and many friends who will miss Mike’s huge smile and loving spirit.