A loving son, brother, uncle, and friend, Mike had a remarkable memory and enjoyed recalling the years he spent working with his Dad on the family farm. He spent many long hours in the fields on a modest “Poppin’ Johnny” John Deere tractor in the South Texas heat - planting and harvesting crops long before the modern machinery of today and then eventually transporting cotton, corn, and maize to the Wood Hi Gin to sell. For much of his life, he began the day long before dawn, milking and feeding cows, shredding pastures, tending a sizable garden, and maintaining farm machinery. He cherished memories of his sweet Mother’s attention to every detail in their home, the delightful meals she lovingly prepared, and the beautiful flower gardens that she artfully created and nurtured.
Mike embraced his relatively simple and peaceful lifestyle in Wood Hi and enjoyed many true and enduring friendships with the wonderful people of the community where he lived all of his life. The Wood Hi community also remembers Mike’s service as a Wood Hi Election Official alongside his Dad for many decades.
Special memories also included the trips he made with his Dad to Houston back in the day when Elmo Estes organized bus trips to see the Astros play. He was also an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys.
In addition to farming, Mike was a dedicated employee of the Victoria Advocate for 38 years and treasured the many coworkers there that were also his dear friends.
Mike was a devout Christian and a member of First English Lutheran Church since childhood. He held a very strong faith and was a living witness of the love and promise of Christ. Mike will be remembered most for his positive outlook, humble and kind nature, beautiful sense of humor, and sweet spirit.
Through the years, Mike nurtured several very fortunate and spoiled pets including Missy, Lady, Smokey, Bandit, and especially Peanut.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Norman Mutchler.
He is survived by his beloved sister, Becky Land (Charlie), nieces, Suzanne Stone (Ernest), Carolyn Knox (Randy), Lisa Aitken (Joe), nephews, Sammy Fischer (Sherri), Shelby Fischer (Debbie), Jason Mutchler (Jeannie).
A visitation will be held at First English Lutheran Church on Tuesday, April 9, at 1:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Jim Pearson will officiate. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Shelby Fischer, Sammy Fischer, Jason Mutchler, Ryan Austin, Sam McCutcheon, Morgan McCutcheon, Henry Hosek, and Edward Koehl.
Honorary pallbearers include Rick Smith, Aubrey Mutchler, Alfred Mikula, Vurlen Hosek, and Charlie Land.
The family expresses sincere gratitude for the excellent care provided to Mike by Dr. Robin Adams, Dr. Juan Llompart, Dr. Samuel Copeland, Dr. Tywaun Tillman, Dr. Andrew Clemmons, Dr. Daniel Cano, Dr. Manuel Ruiz, Dr. Tyson Meyer, Dr. Terry Whitehouse, and Rachel Wunsch, DNP. We will be forever grateful to all of the Citizens Medical Center Care Team for sharing so generously their expertise and providing Mike exceptional care that was consistently grounded in kindness, compassion and respect. Heartfelt appreciation is especially extended to the CMC Intensive Care Unit Nurses and Respiratory Therapists, ER and Surgery Staff and Physicians, and Citizens Home Health Team, with special thanks to Yvonne Riedesel, RN.
Memorial Donations may be made to First English Lutheran Church.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
