Michael "Mike" Leonard Wheelock, 65, of Traverse City passed away unexpectedly on April 20, 2024 in Sarasota, FL.

Mike was born on October 22, 1958 in Cadillac, MI to the late Leonard and Laura (Baker) Wheelock. Mike married the love of his life, Linda Sue Everson, on May 21, 1988 at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City. Together they lovingly raised four wonderful children: Laura, Ben, Katie, and Spencer.

Mike dedicated over 45 years of his life to working at Sara Lee Bakery as a cook, where he found joy in being a part of the Sara Lee family and cherished the friendships he made over the years.

An avid sports enthusiast, Mike was renowned as the biggest University of Michigan football fan in the state. Making the family trip to Ann Arbor every fall for a game at the Big House was "better than Christmas" according to Mike. Go Blue! Beyond sports, his love for trivia, card games, a cold beer, and family time filled his days with laughter and warmth.

Above all, Mike cherished moments spent with his family and grandchildren, creating lasting memories that will be treasured forever. He was a constant in their lives, never missing a game or practice, and always quick to offer a pointer or spend hours in the driveway at the basketball hoop. He was also proud to be undefeated in HORSE, never letting his children or grandchildren take his title.

He always said the thing he was most proud of in life was his family. A kind, gentle soul, to know Mike, was to love Mike. Always slow to anger and quick to console.

Mike is survived by his wife Linda of 35 wonderful years, his children Laura (Jeremy) Trick, Ben (Jessica) Wheelock, Katie (Jacob) Shreve, Spencer (Brittany) Wheelock, grandchildren, Cooper, Parker, Brady, Lucas, and Molly, his sisters Sue Hosmer and Linda Wheelock, his siblings-in-law Peter (Kathy) Everson, Nina (Charlie) Litzner, Jim (Kyle) Everson, Diana (Mark) Labadie, Jean (Keith) Massaway, Bob (Chris Bloomfield) Everson and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law Howard and Charlotte Everson, and his brother-in-law Gary Everson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12:30pm on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at St. Francis Catholic Church with a public visitation beginning at 11:30am. A Luncheon and Burial at Long Lake Linwood Cemetery will follow the Mass. Fr. Kenneth Stachnik will officiate. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools (gtacs.org/giving) or to The Parkinson's Foundation. Kindly share thoughts and memories with his family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .