Michael D. “Mike” King

Michael D. King

December 4, 1947 – October 28, 2023

Michael was born in Maysville, Kentucky to Wille E. King and Patsy Ruth King Breeze. He attended Maysville High School, where he played basketball and strutted his moves during school dances. After school, he usually made his way across the street to McGee’s Bakery to enjoy his favorite southern delicacy, transparent pie.

Born into a family of coal minors, farmers and storytellers, Mike’s memories of home included his mother, who taught in a one-room schoolhouse in the hills of Appalachia, his father, a prize-fighting coal miner, his loving grandparents who helped to raise him, and a slew of uncles, aunts and cousins, whom he had adventures with like frog-gigging, playing pool and driving a beer truck, amongst others.

Following graduation, Mike joined the United States Airforce. His four-year tour took him to Hong Kong, Guam and Montana, before making his final stop in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met Michele.

Mike and Michele settled down in Papillion, Nebraska where they raised their family and formed their chosen family of lifelong friends.

After his time in the Airforce, Mike worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 42 years. He was passionate about history, music, literature, mob movies, basketball, walking, coffee and sweets.

He found peace and connection as a longtime parishioner of St. Columbkille and St. John’s parishes, though frequently referred to himself as an hors d’oeuvres Catholic.

In life, Mike was most proud of his family, blood and otherwise. He was fiercely protective of those whom he loved, sometimes to a fault. He frequently said, “The best decision I ever made was marrying Michele.” And he told her this often, even toward the end when it was harder for him to remember.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Belinda King Lehman.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Michele King; his three children: Jeff King (Jennie), Bill King (Jen) and Megan King; and six grandchildren: Jared, Jonathon, Levi and Owen King, and Harlow and August Walker.

VISITATION: Friday, November 3, 2023, 5-7 p.m., at the West Center Chapel, followed by a VIGIL SERVICE: at 7 p.m.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, November 4, 2023, 10 a.m., St. John’s Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Stephen Center or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

To view a live broadcast of the Service, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.