Michael Campbell Stump

On March 1, 2025, Michael Campbell Stump broke the bonds of this world and walked gratefully into the healing arms of Jesus. He died peacefully at the Halifax Health Hospice Care Center in Ormond Beach after fighting a courageous 18-year battle with both oral and lung cancer. He was 68.

Born April 7th1956, in Elizabeth, WV, Mike was a 63-year resident of the Daytona/Ormond Beach area where he moved with his parents and sister, Ann in 1961. He was a graduate of Seabreeze High School where as a senior he was Co-Captain of the football team, Vice President of the student body and the school’s News Journal nominee for Volusia County’s student/ athlete of the year. His claim to high school “fame” was holding what proved to be the winning extra point, forging a 7-6 Seabreeze victory over Mainland for the first time in the two schools’ series history. A good student, Mike used CLEP credit to forego his entire freshman year of college first attending FSU his sophomore year before transferring to The University of Florida where he graduated in 1978 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He later also attended the Reformed Theological Seminary in Oviedo, FL. Mike’s work history included management roles with Eddy Foods, Corp./McDonald’s, Owner/Operator of G.J. Merritt’s Salad Dressings, Operations Director and ultimately Owner/Operator of Southeast Mortgage Services LLC, Owner/Operator of Accent Jewelry Inc. and finally Sales Representative for Halifax Health Hospice, Palm Coast. He held both a Real Estate Salesperson and Mortgage Brokers license.

Mike met the love of his life, Jeanie Marie Benben twirling cones at Dairy Queen his senior year of high school, but college instigated a separation of some 25 years before they were reunited and later married for 25 years. They were constant companions, literally doing everything together. Mike shared, “I love Jeanie so very much, she gave me by far the best 25 years any man could ask for. She stood by my side during my illness which I’m sure at times was at least as difficult for her to endure as it was for me.”

Mike and Jeanie enjoyed traveling, visiting cities from coast to coast, with their favorite being Hendersonville NC where they enjoyed the Smokey Mountains, Lake Lure, the Flat Rock Playhouses, Carl Sandburg’s home and visiting their good friend Ben Klumpp on his family’s apple orchard.

Mike and Jeanie loved eating out and particularly enjoyed the, “original” Houligans, Ormond Beach where they not only cheered on their beloved Florida Gators, but connected with and mentored several servers and friends over the years - Lisa, Courtney, Heather, Val… Mike loved you all and was so very blessed by each of you. He also wanted to thank Tim and Ryan for being simply the best!

Mike always considered himself blessed to have a strong family and faithful friends with whom he shared many experiences and memories; his father, Dr. Charles Stump and mother, JoAnn, sister Ann Martorano and brother-in-law, Richard Martorano whose support seemed endless; a son Michael, daughter–in-law, Ashley and granddaughter, Haddie, who made him prouder every day; his Aunt and Uncle, Charlotte and Jim Hogan who always acted as, “parents in waiting”; his cousins, Kathy Hogan Heggblod (Alex) and Jeff Hogan (Jessica). Mike wanted to give a special thank you to his, “band of brothers” and their wives, with many of these friendships dating back to grade school: Jeff Snead,Ed Mitchell, Bob and Patti Dillman, Bill and Debi Wilson, Chris Bornmann, Dave and Denise Bennett, Wayne Bessette and Lynn Ceton, Bill and Hilda Norwalk (who though living in California were always with him in Spirit), Mike and Ellie Bono, (best dinner dates ever), Norman Black who prayed for and put up with him during his constant visits to Norman’s business the last three years of his life and David Nichols, the best friend a man could hope for… vigilantly there for him for a lifetime…no matter the circumstance. A special thank you should also be extended to the late Bob Godwin, Mike’s A.A. sponsor without whom the very best parts of his life would undoubtedly never have come to pass. His church, United Brethren in Christ and congregation, Pastor Chuck McKeown (one of the finest men he’d ever known) and wife Vicki, Pastor Matt McKeown and wife Kara, Pastor Josh McKeown and wife Julie; and finally his, “hero” volunteers and co-workers at the Halifax Health Hospice Re-Sale Shop, Palm Coast.

Many of Mike’s favorite memories and activities revolved around music and those who encouraged him in that area. Heartfelt thanks always went out to his dad, Charles, who unhesitatingly jump-started Mike and his sister by supplying equipment so they might develop a duo and ultimately play the Quality Inn Rooftop Lounge in the late 70’s. Greg Cardino, Little Eva and the Espionage and so many other entertainers in the Daytona Beach area were always allowing him to, “sit in’. Jo Traywick offered him a place in her Joyful Heirs Christian singing ensemble and in doing so not only helped him find his, “calling”, but kept him God-centered at a time he needed Him so much. Myra Wooden offered opportunities to expand his abilities beyond the worship team through the singing of special music and solos on a regular basis and in hindsight being the leader of some of Mike’s favorite Christian singing experiences at First United Methodist, Ormond Beach.

Mike had special thanks for his pastor and good friend Matt McKeown of United Brethren in Christ and Sound Mind Studios who helped produce his three CD’s – “Always Be a Child”, “If You Could Read My Mind”, and “Above All”. One of his favorite activities was to be involved in church plays and musicals and he absolutely loved singing Matt McKeown’s original songs. Mike often referred to music as a, “window” into the spiritual realm and his mission to worship and magnify God through singing. He remained a worship team member and soloist at United Brethren right up until the Sunday prior to his first surgery.

Mike was also an avid writer, developing several Christian-based recovery and disciple programs, one of which was instrumental in the initial founding of New Start of Daytona Beach, a Christian program recognized and recommended by the court as an alternative discipline for first-time juvenile offenders. Created and overseen by Mike’s good friend Steve Miller it has evolved to help literally thousands of young men and women over the past 25 years.

Mike also wrote a Christian-based recovery program, “UB Free”, and facilitated this 12-Step based group at United Brethren. Bottom line, Mike loved people, wanted to help them be saved and healed and spent the majority of the last third of his life with Christ as his focus.

Despite Mike’s challenges over the years, he left this earth extremely grateful for the life God afforded, giving all glory, honor and praise to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the One whose name is above all names…and makes all things new…Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God, for today Michael rests in paradise, healed and pain free by the power of His presence.

Mike was preceded in death by his first wife, Dale and his father, Charles A. Stump, MD. He is survived by his wife, Jeanie, son, Michael (Ashley), mother, JoAnn and sister, Ann (Richard).

Funeral services through Volusia Memorial Funeral Home will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 1PM at United Brethren in Christ Church, 560 Flomich St, Holly Hill, FL 32117. Please join us one hour prior to the service to enjoy fellowship and a selection of songs Mike recorded over the years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to New Start, 336 S. Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach, Fla. 32176.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home