Michael S. Fleming

Michael Steele Fleming entered into his eternal rest on May 23rd after a long battle with cancer.  He was 67 years old.  Mike was born in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Charles A. and Miriam Rae Fleming.

Mike grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and lived there for the majority of his life. He attended St. Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School, Rockhurst High School, and graduated from Mizzou. He retold funny stories about life with nuns and Jesuit Priests. Mike was blessed to grow up with a closely knit circle of friends. He was active in Boy Scouts in his youth and loved the outdoors. He and Jody, his partner of thirty-six years, canoed and camped Missouri streams and the Boundary Waters.  Mike was a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. 

Mike was a hard-working man. He spent his life working in restaurants, bars, and grocery stores.  He and his brother Kevin owned and operated a full-service grocery store in DeSoto, Kansas in the 1980’s. He was a general manager for the Tippins Restaurant chain for years. Mike spent his life bossing employees and his family around.

In 1995, Mike saw an ad looking for concessionaires at nine Missouri state parks. He drove to each one until he found Sam A. Baker State Park.  He and Jody worked there for twenty-six years, putting down deep roots in the Ozarks.  In 2002, his son Elijah was born, another soul to boss around, and the Joy of his life.  Mike, Jody, and Elijah loved to travel and tried to see as much of the world as they could, often with Kevin and Ashley. Mike loved Trinity Methodist Church and Rotary International. He relished life and those around him. He was witty and joked with anyone who would listen. He enjoyed bird watching, scuba diving, and downhill skiing.

Michael leaves behind his wife: Jody (Pence) Fleming; his son: Elijah Fleming of Patterson; brothers: Charles Fleming and wife Eleanor of Birmingham, AL, Kevin Fleming of Patterson; niece: Ashley Fleming of Peculiar; brothers-in-law: Tuck Pence and wife Mary, Michael Pence and wife Lyn, Jonathon Pence and wife Pam, Boone Pence and wife Christy, all of Northern, WI; sister-in-law: Paula Fleming of Shawnee, KS; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and many lifelong friends.

Visitation was held at 5:00 pm, Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service was held at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 27, 2022, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Bro. Bill Turner ministered to the family. Jody Fleming and Kevin Fleming gave a heartfelt eulogy. Elijah Fleming, Kevin Fleming, Charles Fleming, Tom Schembra, Wally Griggs, and Michael Pence served as pallbearers. Doug Kulik, John Hills, and Boone Pence served as honorary pallbearers. Burial followed in the Fleming-Pence Cemetery, Patterson. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com 

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