Michael Ray Emerick passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at his residence, surrounded by family at the age of 77.

He was born on March 9, 1947, to Carlton L. and Gathyl (Downing) Emerick in Bluffton, Ohio. He was a 1965 graduate of LaFayette Jackson High School. 

After high school, Mike enlisted in the United States Army and served as an Aviation Specialist, where he was an aircraft mechanic for 15 months in Vietnam. He worked mainly on Grumman 0V-1 Mohawks, which were used as military observation and attack aircraft. Mike always talked about how they could pick up images of a cigarette light from up in the sky. 

While in the army, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and an Army Commendation Badge. Honorably discharged in February of 1968, returning home, he then served a sheet metal apprenticeship at Hobart, where he graduated. 

Having many adventures throughout his life, from sleeping on the floor of the cabin of a dirty old trapper (Eddie Bauer) to fist fights during his childhood with his lifelong friends at the Kenton Coon Dog Trials, to the jungles of Vietnam. The rumors of his involvement in drunken bar fights at the Chandelle Bar and Grill in Beaverdam, Ohio have been greatly exaggerated and are denied.

On August 8, 1970, he married the love of his life, Emily Anne Blair, and they celebrated 54 years this year. In 1974, he bought a one-man shop, Lima Sheet Metal. After expanding and expanding the shop on Jackson Street, the business was then moved to Bowman Road, where they expanded again and are currently located. Mike and Anne celebrated 50 years of owning and running Lima Sheet Metal in July. 

Spending 20 years on the Allen East School board he assisted with the process of purchasing the ground and building the new Allen East School building, which consolidated the district to one location. For 40 years, he was a 4-H advisor with the LaFayette Boys and Girls as welding advisor and had been actively involved with the Allen County 4-H Extension Advisory Board as well as the Allen County 4-H Council throughout his many years of being an advisor. Mike was a member of the Hog Creek Game Club, where he served as a past president.  

Survivors include his wife Emily “Anne” and sons Steve (Jill) Emerick, William Emerick and Bo (Stephanie) Emerick and a daughter Blair (Nathan) Plaugher. Twelve grandchildren: Logan, Michael, Gracie, Reagan, Madeline, Jameson, Steven, Lily, Jesse, Emerie, Tristan and Harper. A sister, Marcia Kay Benton (Don Boldt); brother-in- law and sister -in law, Jim and Lena Blair; nephews, Marc Emerick, Brian (Kim) Emerick & Thom Blair; nieces, Diana Emerick & Liz (Greg) Skinner. Great nieces and nephew, Katie Wike, Bethany Phillips, Emma Holden, Kelsey (Jason) Lauf, Alyssa Skinner, Emily Skinner and Clayton Emerick, along with great-great nieces, cousins and close friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Barry E. Emerick and Thomas A. Emerick, a sister Tari A. Emerick and a nephew Justin David Blair. 

A Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Emerick Residence on Harding Hwy. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. with the service following afterwards. Neil Whitney, Robert Evans and Val Aspinall will be officiating the services. For more information, please email [email protected] or call  419-229-1161. The family says to dress casual and to come hungry. 
In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to the Allen East FFA or the Allen County 4-H Council. Mike was a firm believer in helping train the youth of tomorrow. 

The family has entrusted the Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Eastside Chapel in assisting them with funeral arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at chiles-lamanfh.com/