Michael grew up in Dubuque and Rockford, Illinois. An outdoorsman at heart, he loved spending time with family and friends and had a passion for bull riding. In 2004, he graduated from Lincoln’s Challenge Academy, a residential military-style high school in Rantoul, Illinois, where he stood out for his leadership and commitment to service.

After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to B Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He deployed twice to Iraq, in 2006 and 2007, and to Afghanistan in December 2011. Known for his toughness, he embraced the demands of military life with determination and grit. On July 13, 2012, he was killed in Zabul Province, Afghanistan, when the vehicle he was riding in struck a roadside bomb.

His legacy lives on through his wife, Elizabeth; his sons, Hyle and Bradley; and his extended family, friends, and comrades.