Born Michael Hoyle Hedum to Hoyle Leo Hedum and Elenore Quinn Hedum in Omaha, Nebraska on July 31st, 1944. Michael spent most of his youth in Sioux City, Iowa and graduated from Central High School (the Castle on the Hill) in Sioux City, in 1962.
Michael went on to enlist at the end of his senior year with the United States Marine Corp. He graduated from NCO Leadership school and was eventually discharged honorably with the rank of Sergeant. He served 15 months in the Vietnam conflict as a machine gunner. During his enlistment he earned the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Meritorious Service Medal to name a few. He was Marine to the end. He loved his Nation, and his Corps, fiercely.
Michael passed away at Sacred Heart Medical Center, in Spokane, WA, after bravely battling the Covid-19 virus for weeks. He married Shirley Wilson on August 4th, 1973; who passed in July of 2008. He was fortunate to have found a second partner in Bonnie Leck, who passed in July of 2020. Beloved father to four children, Gina Austin of Denver, Colorado; David Hedum of Simi Valley, CA; Candace Leach of Spokane Valley, WA and Heather Hedum of Spokane Valley, WA. He is survived by his four children, his brother Terry Hedum; sister Kris Fobes; four grandchildren, Nicole Daggy, Mason Muchlinski, Jackson Leach & Karter Kuntz; and one great grandchild, Xander Kowalczyk.
A Memorial Inurnment will be held on Friday, May 14th at the WA State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA at 3 pm. Michael will be inurned with his wife Shirley via full military honors. The family welcomes you to join. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 15th at 10 am at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA. If you’ll be joining us for either the Veteran’s Celebration or Celebration of Life, please contact Candace at 510.224.0862, to RSVP. We are required to provide names of all entering the VA Cemetery and need to provide numbers to the Chapel to be in compliance with current Covid19 protocols.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers you make a donation in Mike’s name to your local Veterans of Foreign Wars, or a charity of your choice benefitting our country’s Veterans.
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