Michael May
February 23, 1949 - November 30, 2024
Obituary
MERCER, WI/GILBERT AZ - Michael David May, age seventy-five, of Mercer, Wisconsin and Gilbert, Arizona passed away after a short illness on November 30, 2024, in Gilbert, Arizona, finally reuniting with his son, Ryan in Heaven, after waiting twenty-three years. He was born on February 23, 1949, to Donald J. May and Eileen E. (nee: Bebow) May in Madison, Wisconsin. He was raised in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, St. Paul, Minnesota and Middleton, Wisconsin. He graduated from Middleton High School in 1967. He attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison for two years, driving a cement truck on weekends to earn money for school, then joined the US Army Active Reserves in December 1968. He did his training at Fort Hamilton and served as a projectionist with that branch of the Armed Forces for numerous years. He returned to the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Risk Management in 1973. He began his business career after graduation with Rural Insurance, Middleton, Wisconsin and finished an illustrious career with American Family Insurance, Madison, retiring in 2007. He was united in marriage to Gail Ann Isaacson on April 26, 1975, and they built a life of love together until his death, a mere five months short of 50 years of marriage. Mike and Gail resided in Lodi, Wisconsin for forty years, raising their children, Laura Kathryn and Ryan Michael, and then sold their 1897 Victorian in 2018. At the time of Mike’s death, they were spending summers on Long Lake in Mercer, Wisconsin and winters in Gilbert, Arizona.
Michael loved sports of all kinds. He played on championship baseball, basketball and football teams in high school and learned to hunt at a young age, shooting his first deer at age 16. He hunted all over the United States, humanely hunting record elk, mule deer, moose, bear, big-horned sheep and wild boar, also obtaining the prestigious Turkey Grand Slam. Although he thoroughly enjoyed his hunting trips to South Africa, the Arctic Circle and Alaska, his favorite place to hunt was his property in Southeast Wisconsin for white-tailed deer and turkey. Mike was an excellent fisherman and would spend hours fishing on lakes and streams in the Northwoods. He loved Long Lake and worked diligently to preserve its integrity by serving on the Long Lake Association Board for many years. He took great pride in his hunting accomplishments, and in his preparations of delicious wild game or fish for neighbors and family. He enjoyed golfing, especially with his son-in-law, Daryle and in the retired men’s league at Lone Tree Golf course.
Although Mike was a man of many accomplishments, his greatest accomplishment was his love for God. He believed in living his faith, which was evident in his love for his family and friends and his strong commitment to the Catholic faith. He was a devoted, caring husband, father and grandfather. He was known to his grandson, Asher, as “Pa” and “Papa Mike” to many other children he knew and loved through the years. When Mike talked about his daughter, or five-year old grandson, his whole face lit up with joy and adoration. Mike had an amazing number of close friends, and he touched many lives in very special ways. He had a gift of making conversation, engaging people he met into immediate friendship and never hesitated if someone needed a helping hand. He displayed a sincere interest in everyone he met and had an extraordinary ability to find a connection between that new acquaintance through someone he already knew, or through some common experience. He had a special spot in his heart for young people and “adopted” many young hunters treating and guiding them like sons. Mike loved to tell stories and seemed to have one for every occasion. There was always an element of truth in every story, but he habitually embellished the details to make the story exceptionally interesting. Mike was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Milton J. Isaacson; mother-in-law, Angeline R. Isaacson (nee: Callewaert); an infant sister, MaryBeth; and his and Gail’s beloved son, Ryan Michael May who passed away in 2001 at age twenty.
He is survived by his wife, Gail; daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Laura, Daryle and Asher Mabon of Chandler, AZ; sister, Patti May of Middleton, WI; brother Kevin May of Madison, WI; sister, Katie May of Middleton, WI; brother-in-law, Jerry Isaacson (Nancy) of Sturtevant, WI; brother-in-law, Tom (Patricia) of Racine, WI; and brother-in-law, Dan (Sandy) of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; nephews, Isaac May (Katharine), Eric Isaacson (Gina), Andrew Isaacson (Holly), Benjamin Isaacson (Jenelle),and Todd Isaacson (Lacy); nieces, Katrina Fingerson, Dyan Gouff (Damian), and Katie Isaacson; great nieces and nephews, Hunter, Tanner, and MyKenna Isaacson, Brent and Addison Wiley, Ella, Lily, and Kellan Isaacson, Eliana, Jonas, Selah, and Timothy Isaacson, and Andrew May; and many cousins and close friends, and thousands of others who smiled because of Mike.
Mike made this world a better place, and we are grateful to have shared our lives with him. We say farewell for now to one of the “last, great mountain men”. We love you forever.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST MAXIMILIAN KOLBE PASTORATE AT ST. PATRICK CHURCH LODI, 521, Fair St., at 11 am, on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Burial will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON LODI FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 157 S. Main St., Lodi, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 4 pm to 7 pm. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday, at the church from 9:30 am until the time of the mass.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Priests for Our Future Endowment Fund, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of the donor’s choice in Michael’s name would be greatly appreciated.
For more information and online condolences please visit www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson Lodi
Funeral & Cremation Care
157 S. Main St.
(608) 592-3201