Michael Lee McCormick passed away Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA surrounded in love by his family. Mike was born June 24, 1950 in Laurens, Iowa, to Andrew and Viviette McCormick. He was a lifelong resident of Pocahontas, IA. Mike was a 1968 graduate of Pocahontas High and a 1973 graduate of Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, MO. He was employed at Iowa Industrial Hydraulics in Pocahontas for 18 years in Marketing and Sales. He had been a Purchasing Agent at Merrill Mfg Co in Storm Lake since 1992. Mike married Jane Edele Ohling on May 1st, 1976 in Pocahontas. They had 2 daughters, Katherine Leigh and Jessica Jane McCormick. Mike enjoyed "Outdoors in October", being a lifelong NY Yankee's fan and celebrating his Irish Heritage. He was the youngest World Champion Goose Caller at 17 and was featured in Sports Illustrated of which he was an avid reader. Mike was a very creative person, including writing, wood working, and pastel chalk drawings. For many years he hosted festive dinner parties, hayrack rides and various events with his friends and family. He played fast pitch softball with the Pocahontas Hamm's and was a standout hitter and centerfielder while playing slow pitch softball with the Liberty Inn Bombers. Mike enjoyed golfing and played in the Men's League in Pocahontas for many years. Hunting water fowl with his brothers and friends at his favorite spot, Little Clear Lake and deer hunting in Wisconsin were some of his favorite past-times as well as participating in P.I.G.L.I.F.T, an annual fishing tournament at the Iowa Great Lakes. He also loved having bonfires in the back yard. He was a very witty person and loved telling jokes with friends and family. Mike enjoyed the opportunity to cheer on Poky Athletics and rarely missed sporting events his daughters participated in. He was a very loving father and grandfather who always enjoyed creating or finding sentiment in all he did for his girls. They were always on his mind and in his heart. He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew McCormick. He is survived by his mother, Viviette McCormick, his wife, Jane, his daughters, Katherine McCormick of Prairie Village, KS, and Jessica (Nate) Beattie of Altoona, IA, his granddaughter, Leighton Beattie. His two brothers, Steve (Susie) McCormick and Nick (Tricia) McCormick, his three sisters Jeri Mulloy, Ellen (Mike) Kirchner, Cindy (Mark) Carmichael, and his many nieces and nephews.
