Sutton resident Michael Lee Thompson, 74, passed away Friday, June 7, 2024, at Legacy Square in Henderson.

A Rosary was prayed at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 12, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sutton. Mass of Christian Burial followed at 10:30 a.m., with Father Michael Zimmer officiating. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery near Sutton, with military honors by the Sutton American Legion Argonne Post #61 and the Nebraska Army Nation Guard Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family or to the Sutton American Legion Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be left at www. suttonmemorial.com. Michael Lee Thompson was born Aug. 1, 1949, in Chicago, IL to Norman V. and Margaret (Foster) Thompson. The family moved to Oklahoma and Kansas before living in Geneva, Clearwater and Aurora where he entered the sixth grade.

As a senior, through the Diversified Occupations, he worked for the Aurora News-Register and upon graduation continued his employment.

On May 11, 1968, he was united in marriage to Diane Paulette Matya and they made their home in Aurora. He was drafted into the Army in May 1970, and completed his basic training at Fort Lewis, WA. He was later transferred to Fort Carson, CO where he spent the rest of his service before being discharged in December of 1971. While at the Army base he joined the 5th Army bowling team and won the 5th Army tournament in Denver, CO.

They returned to Aurora and he resumed his job at the newspaper. They were blessed with three boys, Steven in 1973, Nicholaus in 1978, and Jeffrey in 1983. In 1977 the family moved to Sutton where he worked for Spearman Publishing until 1988 when Mike and Diane opened their own print shop, Printing MD.

Mike drove school bus for over 30 years and served on the Sutton School Board for 12 years.

He enjoyed umpiring baseball for many years and helped build the Legion baseball program. His other favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing, and bowling. Mike bowled one 298 game and two 300 games.

He was past Commander of the Sutton American Legion Argonne Post 61.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Norman; sister-in-law, Stephanie Harms; and brother-in-law, Mike Penner.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Diane; sons Steven (Darla) of McCook, Nicholaus (Heather) of Papillion, and Jeffrey (Ashley) of Sutton; sisters Stephanie Penner and Dawn (Don) Haymart of Aurora; sisters-in-law Mary Thompson of Alta Vista KS, Laurie (Jim) Pfeifer and Vicki (Tom) Pfeifer of Aurora; grandchildren Sydney, Hannah, Abigail, Piper, and Skye.