Support Staff

Michael was born in Pendleton, Oregon, in 1951, the second of eight children. His elementary education took place at St. Patrick’s in Pasco, St. Paul’s, and Holy Family in Yakima. He attended high school for two years at Central Catholic, one year at Carroll, and completed his senior year at Eisenhower. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving tours in Texas, Illinois, North Dakota, Thailand, and returning again to North Dakota. It was there that he met his wife, and they were married on April 4, 1972. Together they raised three daughters and were later blessed with five grandchildren. Michael worked several jobs before being hired at Longview Fibre, where he spent 34 years. Shortly after retiring, he ran into Janet Roy Knautz, who asked what he was doing and whether he might want to come work with them. They were in the process of starting Affordable Funeral Care in Moxee, which later became Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory. After meeting with Richard Knautz and discussing the opportunity, the rest was history. Joining Brookside was a blessing he often said he wished he had found 30 years earlier. For him, work felt more like a ministry than a job. What made it so fulfilling was working alongside two genuine people with true servants’ hearts, dedicated to caring for families and the community. Even after retiring from full time work and transitioning to part time under the new owners, Jamin and Kara Mohler, who also share that same spirit of service, he continued to feel grateful for the team he was part of. During his time with what he considered the best funeral home team ever, Michael served as head crematory operator, assisted with calls and bringing loved ones into his care, supported services, maintained buildings and vehicles, and wrote pre needs. If you spend any time around him, you might hear him say: “May the Presence and Love of God be with you and your family.”