Mike was born February 15, 1938 in Lowry City, Missouri, son of Lester Murray and Ermalee Hillegas. He was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Stevener, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage.
Mike joined the Air Force at the beginning of their marriage and served several years until he came home to run the family business after the passing of his father. He then went to work for Kansas City Power and Light where he worked at several different stations around Kansas City and ending at the LaCygne Power Plant. After retiring from KCP&L, Mike traveled around the midwest inspecting and re-tooling the turbines in hydroelectric power plants and then ran a trucking business hauling by-products from the LaCygne plant.
Mike was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Butler. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fly fishing and rebuilding cars. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his greatest joy, and getting to see them playing sports on or Sunday get-togethers was what made him smile the most.
Barbara and Mike got to spend a great deal of time together in the last few years and months, and he was blessed with the time he was given to spend with his family.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife Barbara Murray; daughter Michelle Brownsberger and husband Herb of Butler; daughter Robin Strobach and husband Scott of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; grandchildren Erica Hough (Jeremy), Allison Peerson (Tyler), Emily Klindt (Nate), Madeline Strobach, Ashley Powell (Brent) and great-grandchildren Caleb, Carly, Lily, Georgia, Elise, and Taylor.
