Michael "Mike" E. McClaskey

Michael E. “Mike” McClaskey, 87, of Hoyt, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, surrounded by his family. Born on July 1, 1938, in Horton, Kansas, to Theodore and Thelma (Schuetz) McClaskey, he graduated from Powhattan High School in 1956. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy before beginning a 30-year career with DuPont. In later years, he found great joy working alongside area farmers during planting and harvest seasons.

A man of deep faith, honesty, generosity, and contagious humor, Mike was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Parish for more than 60 years and a devoted Knight of Columbus. He was most at home outdoors, where he pursued his passions for hunting, fishing, gardening, and horseshoe pitching. His many longtime hunting, fishing, and pitching companions will long recall the stories and laughter they shared. Mike had a special gift for teaching and patiently guiding young people. Among his proudest accomplishments were helping to establish Jackson County Friends of Hospice, where he served on the board for over 30 years, being recognized as a 60-year member of the Kansas Horseshoe Pitchers Association, and participating in the Honor Flight program.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Thelma McClaskey; his first wife of 27 years, Barbara (Schecher) McClaskey; his son, Jim McClaskey; brothers Robert and Patrick McClaskey; and sisters Mary Sue Ercolani and Ellen Boliski.

Mike is survived by his wife of 30 years, Karen (Fund-Hicks) McClaskey of Goff, Kansas; daughter Sheri (Dave) Wohlfert of Westphalia, Michigan; son Joe (Erin) McClaskey of Mosley, Virginia; stepdaughter Shelley (Sam) Russell of Hoyt, Kansas; and stepson Robin (Kim) Hicks of Overland Park, Kansas. He is also survived by his sister Janet McClaskey and brothers Leo and Tim (Michelle) McClaskey, all of Horton, Kansas. His legacy of honesty, hard work, and generous humor lives on through his ten grandchildren—Kevin, Jason, Shannon, Amanda, Morgan, Evan, Ryan, Danyelle, Taylor, and Alexandra—and eight great-grandchildren—McKenzie, Colton, Lewis, Ella, Dominic, Sutton, Paisley, and Hayes.