Stanley M. “Mike” Davis, age 89, passed away July 30, 2024, at his home in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Mike was born December 8, 1934, to the late Peter and Thelma Davis, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; brother, Donald Davis; sisters, Ilene Christian, Shirley Kilgore; daughter-in-law, Syndi Davis.
He is survived by his children, Barbara (Tim) Weilage, Beverly Monjarez, Bill (Andrea) Davis, Paul Davis; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; sisters, Ellen Andrea, Julia Whitesides; other loving family and friends.
Mike was a simple man who loved his family and life. His children fondly remember his creativity, carving and making jewelry. He loved being a rock hound, sense of humor, love of fishing, hunting morels with his brother Don and his own kids (usually Bill and Paul).
He taught his children the value of hard work and sacrifice. He was often generous to a fault. We were poor and did not have much, but that didn’t matter, If someone needed help he offered it. Whether it was a place to stay (even though it meant us kids needed to sleep on the floor or meal. I’ve seen him lend money even when he didn’t have any to spare.
Dad couldn’t read or write, but he was adamant that his kids would be able to. I remember often that a fishing trip was just an excuse to hand me some document and read it to him or do some kind of math.
He did hard labor all his life. As a boy he worked on a dairy farm with his brother Don and chased goats. A series of family challenges led to his siblings and himself being made wards of the state. Don and Dad were placed In Boy’s Town. Eventually, they ran away. At 16 Dad was husky enough to pass for 18 and began working in the meatpacking industry. Sometime in 1957 he was drafted and sent to Fort Carson, Colorado. Dad and Mom would share snippets that Dad may have served but never provided proof. On the day he died my sister Barb found his dog tags, clearance forms, discharge orders, and his Honorable Discharge Certificate. But no DD214. This will get resolved but we are all so proud of him for so many reasons. He’s now at peace and with his beautiful wife Lucille.
Visitation with family Friday, August 2, 2024, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Maher Funeral Home. Funeral service Saturday, August 3, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment Ridgewood Cemetery. Memorials directed by the family.
