Part II:

So for all of you that didn’t know Mike growing up, he wasn’t a late bloomer…meaning the dude was tall.  Funny thing was that he was so with it that he was in a grade above people with his same BDay year/month.  This led to the best, most intimidating pitcher that the 10yr-12yr old baseball league at Lincoln Fields ever had the opportunity to watch and battle! Those boys were shaking their knees at the idea, let alone the misfortune, of standing in the batter’s box to face him…they only came up to his knees!…and then, afterwards, we went to the concession stand to spend our $0.50 on gummie worms and a Coke…That’s how he stays with us!

Mike was my first real friend when I moved to Marion in elementary school.  Through  Mike’s friendship many others gained similar stories to tell. He was taken too young, but through those memories he’ll be with us well into the future.  My thought’s and prayers go out to the Hurst family during this difficult time.  You’ll be missed Mike.

Domes

Dear Hurst family,

I can't put into words how truly sorry I am to hear of Mike's passing. My entire family sends their deepest condolences to you all and I genuinely hope you find some peace very soon.

Mike and I came of age together, not just in college but after, as we got our first apartment together in Chicago as working adults. There are very few memories from my late teens to mid-30's that don't involve Mike and I am so fortunate to have called him one of my greatest friends. You all know too well of his qualities but his wit, sharp sense of humor, and endless curiosity about almost anything were things that made me want to be around him as much as possible. I learned so much from him and his perspective always gave me a different viewpoint that I relied on for growth and new thinking. 

I hope I get a chance to see you all sometime soon, give you a hug, and pass along my condolences in person. Until then I hope this note helps you appreciate how much he was loved outside your family and how much all of his friends will miss him, most of all me.

With the greatest love and deepest condolences,
Tom Anzur

I’m so sad to hear of Mike’s passing. It’s been ages since Mike and I last spoke (ex-girlfriend here), but I knew him well and my heart aches. Mike loved his family and adored his parents, Roger and Betty. I have a lot of happy memories of Mike that I will continue to hold in my heart. I’m so sorry for your loss. To quote Mike, he was one of the good ones. 

Mike was a great guy.  And I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing.  

I first met Mike about 20 years ago, where we were colleagues in the Real Estate Group at LaSalle Bank in Chicago.  I look back fondly on those years as we navigated together through the early years in our respective careers.  

Mike did things his own way and to be sure on his own time, but he was kind, gentle, smart and always respectful.  We stayed in touch over the years and even did some business together later on.  In fact, it was just this past Spring where Mike had me asked if would prepare a referral letter for him.  Naturally, I was happy to oblige and felt like sharing it below…

To whom it may concern:
I have known Mike Hurst for almost 20 years in various capacities across the Real Estate industry.  Whether as a colleague and fellow Lender, a joint venture partner, or as an investor, I have known Mike to always conduct himself in a respectful and responsible manner.  Mike is a skilled real estate professional with a broad-based and well-rounded perspective, that has resulted in an impressive skill set including a strong aptitude to identify, assess and (if necessary) mitigate risk or downside.  I have full confidence in Mike’s ability to underwrite risk in a real estate transaction and execute on a business plan.  Mike fully understands and values the importance of a long-term business relationship and is one of the most genuine people I know.  

Mike was as genuine as they come and he had a big heart.  I will miss him dearly and his resolute friendship.  My thoughts are with the entire Hurst family and sending you all strength during this difficult time.  

Gregg


I am shocked and saddened to hear of Mike’s passing.  Although life would take us in different cities and direction, I can still clearly see his infectious smile and hear his witty humor.  Mike was that friend that always brought people together and made them smile.  He was such a genuine friend that is rare to come into your life yet he touched so many.   Rest easy my friend. 

As Lori’s in-laws we always felt included as a part of the Hurst family. We remember and enjoyed our after-dinner activities at the lake when Mike would involve everyone in trivia games and table topics. Always fun and competitive.  We will miss him. 
Don and Joyce Eltzroth

I was just thinking of Mike before hearing of his passing. He taught me when your at a country club you have to order a club sandwich. Often, to this day, I will order that sandwich and always think of him . He introduced me to his beta brothers which I am still friends with many of them today. He also reminded me to laugh often, even at the things that may upset you. I won’t forget these lessons. 

I will forever regret not making a better effort to keep in touch as we got older. I would get updates from friends that he was doing well in Chicago and LA and it always brought a smile to my face. My deepest sympathies to the Hurst family and all his friends. 

I noticed in many of the pictures Mike leaned in those he loved. I like to remember him this way. 

I will remember our friend Mike (Roger, Hurst, Ernie, Michael) as a committed friend.  He was patient, thoughtful, warm, private, late, witty and smart.  From the first time I met Mike, I was  amazed at the number of people that wanted to be close to him. It took me a long time to figure this out, but in every friend group, he was everyone’s favorite.  High school, college, work, family (sorry Lisa) girlfriends … it didn’t matter. He was the one at the center who made us laugh and feel comfortable.  There was no one else like Mike. He was loved … and he will be missed. 

In the spring of 2005 I flew from Texas to Chicago to spend the weekend with Hurst, sleeping on his couch and recording music together. The rug under the drums and amplifiers in his basement was dingy and dark red; we called the recordings The Burgundy Sessions. Here are my 2 favorite tracks we recorded - a jam in the key of B which we called ‘BJ’, and pure blues he wrote and sang called ‘Needle & Thread’.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pfp1sa9jxo2u8vh/BJ.mp3?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/n5l2719z3unohk7/Needle%20%26%20Thread.mp3?dl=0

I stopped completely when I heard the news today. We were roommates, bandmates, collaborators, brothers. I am grateful and will never forget him. 

Rest In Peace, my friend. See you on the other side. 

“Good drummer. Great look. Good drummer.”

-Dunn

Hurst, you ALWAYS did things at your pace and on Hurst time. That wasn’t the case here. Like many of us still trying to process this, it just won’t sink in.  I look back at the last 30 yrs and we made a ton of great memories Marion, Bloomington, Mexico, Vegas and the all the weddings parties we have been a part of. You will be truly missed by all who had the time to wait on you (it was worth it). My love goes to Roger, Betty, Lori, Lisa and the rest of the family. We lost a good one to soon! 

I’ve only just heard this news. Mike was one of my best friends. His generosity to me over the years, in the form of friendship and advice and as a role model even… is one of the driving factors of my life. As a friend he always believed in me, especially in times of personal self doubt. 

He was the best of the best. The most wonderful friend and collaborator. His loss is unfathomable… love you pal..

35 years of Friendship. Thanks for being such a loyal friend. 

I will always remember Mike for his sense of humor and witty comments.  He was a big part of our Marion tribe and things won’t be the same without him.  When I think of Mike, I think about how he was ALWAYS late and always making us wait on him and he literally did not care lol!  I think of the time he borrowed my car during the Blue Blazer, left it running all night and ended up needing to get it towed from the club because it was completely dead.  I think of the countless nights we all spent together in high school and how those were some of the best days of our lives.  Mike, we will miss you forever but your memory will always live on in our hearts.  Thinking of your family during this difficult time.  Love to all!

My heart breaks to hear this news.  So many great memories of Mike.  I remember him as SO funny and smart.  He had the best laugh, and was interesting and easy to talk to.  My entire college experience included Mike.  He was a good, kind, generous person.  A great friend to many.  I hold the Hurst Family in my thoughts and prayers during this time of grief and pain.  

With love,
Daniele Arrendale Meier 

One of the best people and friends a person could ever know or have! I love you Mike!

I’d like to think I get my wit from you. I’ll always remember the time you were in Marion for the Blue Blazer golf tournament. You needed to turn in some score cards to prove you had played recently and you asked me to fill them out with my ~14 year old self while you got ready. And while you had probably not played AT ALL recently, I filled them out as if you had just won the Masters. Then you came back to the house that night, after probably shooting 100+ in the tournament, and we ate Taco Bell out on the deck while laughing about it. 
 I’ll miss your random phone calls, life advice,  dinner time table topics, and your profound ability to make just about anybody laugh. 
You are loved by so many. 

Mike was one of my favorite college friends, starting freshman year when we were paired together as the two tallest people in the "frat."  We spent every afternoon together for a 5 month period cleaning up the house, but became great friends and eventually were roommates.  

While Mike and I were opposites in many ways--neatness, political views, and efficiency :), etc. we were always having a great time together, respected each other's differences, and really valued each other when anything of substance needed to be discussed.  Mike eventually was in my wedding party--in fact he knew my wife before I did!  

I wish Mike's sisters and parents much sympathy during this difficult time, and would be happy to do anything that would ease the pain you are going through.  I sincerely hope to see you all in the near future, and would like to wish you all peace. 

Brent Engelberg


OBITUARY

Mike Hurst

1 September, 1977 – 16 October, 2022

Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home & Flagler Memorial Gardens

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