Mike A. Velarde

He was born September 2, 1933, in Van Nuys, California, a son of the late Miguel and Felicitas (Aguirre) Velarde. He was the owner and operator of Mike's Rooter and Plumbing Service for 40 years. He was a longtime member of the VFW. He will be remembered as a jokester and someone who enjoyed having fun with family and friends. One of his favorite roles in life was being Uncle Mike to numerous nieces and nephews who he had the privilege to see grow up and have families of their own.

Surviving family include his children, Wendy Rieley, Michael Velarde, Julie Moore, and Gail Castillo; 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren; and his sister, Sylvia Manning. Besides his parents, he was preceded in passing by his wife, Colleen; son, Robert; a grandchild; and six siblings.

A graveside service will be 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Lindenwood Cemetery, 2324 West Main Street, Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org.

Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, Fort Wayne is caring for arrangements. Condolences and memories of Mike may be left online at www.hockemeyermillerfh.com