Michael John Cooley

Michael John Cooley, age 57, of Demotte, IN, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Cooley, nee Palmer. Loving father of Robert (Lindsay) Waight, Zachary Cooley, Elizabeth Waight, and Samantha Waight.  Cherished grandfather of Gabriella Waight, Cassandra Waight, and Jeremiah Waight.  Dear brother of the late John (Sandra) Cooley and Kathy (Michael) Caves.  Fond uncle of several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents Tommy and Mary Cooley, his stepfather Dale “Pops” Coffey, and his brother John Cooley.

Michael John Cooley was born 2/8/1966 in Galesburg, IL to Tommy and Mary Kay Cooley.  He graduated from Galesburg High School in 1984 and attended Southern IL University.  He was a self-employed painter for over 20 years. He married his best friend and love of his life, Nancy (Palmer) Cooley in July 2001. He was employed by Cetek as a Ceramic Coating Technician/Supervisor. This work took him all over the world and he worked with some very amazing men for 15 years that he considered “brothers”.

Mike and his wife Nancy lived in Galesburg, IL until 2011. He was then promoted to Project Estimator for Cetek and relocated to the Cleveland, OH area. He then went on to become a Warehouse Manager with IGS and they moved to Houston, TX in 2018.

In 2020, Mike and Nancy settled in Demotte, IN for his wife’s employment and to be closer to their children and grandchildren.  Mike was a loving father to their four children and a doting Papa to his grandchildren.

Mike was a man of many talents, but he especially loved and had a great talent for remodeling houses, painting landscapes, photography, and gardening.  He was self-employed as a handy-man and worked for Dayton Freight prior to his illness.

Mike Cooley, a strong and fearless warrior, spent well over a year battling metastatic cancer that would have taken lesser men in swifter battles.  But his tenacity and resilience spoke to his faith in God, courage, and his love for his wife and family.

Although his battle was courageously fought, it was not without its scars both physically and mentally on both Mike and Nancy.  The battle took Mike’s vision and his physical strength, but he has his eyes and strength NOW and he can see God’s angels at the Throne and dance with strong legs around that Throne in Heaven.  We envision him there now and know that one day in God’s time, Nancy will be dancing in his arms once again.

May the Grace of God be with us all.

Visitation Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 8924 1200 N, Demotte, IN with Pastor Joe Kenning officiating. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to The Cooley Family.

Arrangements entrusted to Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN. For further information, please contact 219-322-7300.