Obituary of Michael Glenn Olinger

Michael Glenn Olinger, 60, of Dowagiac, Michigan, went to be home with the Lord on Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, after an ongoing battle with cancer. He was born on April 5, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Wayne E. Olinger and Julia C. (Ledberg-Olinger) Williams. Mike graduated with honors from Dowagiac Union High School in 1977 and continued his studies at Southwestern Michigan College where he earned his degrees. Mike was a longtime employee at Ameriwood Industries in Dowagiac, MI and then the Greater Kalamazoo Auto Auction of Schoolcraft, MI. Mike was gifted with great intellect and was quick witted. He loved a challenging question and could provide a correct answer, most often in less than a second. He loved crossword puzzles, often completing them in minutes. At a young age, Mike found his idol, Elvis Presley. This began early on with Mike’s father being a booking agent in Chicago for Elvis impersonators. Mike loved the business and when old enough, he grew and kept Elvis sideburns and wore high collared shirts. He saw one of Elvis’ last live performances before his untimely death in 1977. Mike loved pranks and scaring people. Whether Halloween or through the year, his mom usually being the victim. Often both would hide in the house and scare each other. While playing at a young age, Mike called his mom to a gravel pit. Every time his mother would climb out, he’d push her back in. Eventually consumed in laughter, his mom threatened irrefutable harm, then the game was over. Mike, almost jailed in Johnston City, Illinois, pranked the city while driving his car and wearing a full body gorilla costume, most likely with Elvis glasses and a cigar. One of Mike’s most shining talents was being a great DJ. With the Karaoke boom in the 90’s, Mike had a very successful business. He was able to entertain thousands of people at a variety of different types of parties, including weddings, events and bars. He would often wear Hawaiian shirts or dress shirts, and jeans. Always carrying a long black comb, he never entered a room without a quick check of his hair. Mike enjoyed fishing, canoeing, sunshine, being anywhere close to the lakes, listening to music, television, pizza, Taco Bell and the nightlife. Mike will be missed by all who knew him and most would agree that he was truly one in a million. Mike was known for being very faithful in both his relationships and with his close network of friends. He cared deeply for his grandmother, his mother and his sister. Surviving are Mike’s mother, Julia C. Williams of Dowagiac, MI; sister Wanda Olinger McCue of Blue Island, IL; nephews Jake McCue and William McCue, both of Blue Island, IL; and second cousin Joanne Herold of Chicago, IL. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Wayne E. Olinger; step-father, Bernard E. Williams; grandparents, Axel E. and Hermina M. (Fleck) Ledberg, and Thomas E. and Ruby V. Olinger, and lastly his faithful canine friend, Klinger. Per Mike’s wishes, cremation has taken place with Whitley Memorial Funeral Home, Kalamazoo, MI, being in charge of arrangements. A celebration of life event will be held at a later date. Donations may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. The family wishes to thank Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo for assisting the family and for the excellent care that staff and nurses gave to Michael in his last days. As a reminder, please wear your sunscreen.