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Message from the Family
Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Please enhance this tribute by adding memories and photos. You may also send condolences to: Jackie Leonard-Tackett (and Ethan and Lauren) N112 W16298 Mequon Rd #140 Germantown, WI 53022
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Arrangements made by
D O McComb and Sons - Covington Knolls
8325 Covington Rd.
Fort Wayne,
IN
46804
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View Phone NumberTel. (260) 426-9494
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Memories & Candles
Previous
“Jackie, I am saddened to hear of your loss. Mike and I were in quite a few classes together at SJC, and we loved debating politics. He was always so...Read More »
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1 of 45 | Posted by: Domenic Maciariello - Chicago, IL
“Jackie,
I am so sorry for your loss. You were such a great family and Mike was a great man! Give Ethan and Lauren a big hug. Again I am sorry for...Read More »
”
2 of 45 | Posted by: Angela Gapp - Brentwood, TN
“I still don't know what to say and probably can't say it as eloquently as others but I wanted to post something about my friend Mike. He was laid to...Read More »
”
3 of 45 | Posted by: Kurt Krouse - Lexington, KY
“I worked with Mike during his "asbestos" days. My pre-teen son and his friend were driving me nuts with their shenanigans. Mike let me bend his ear...Read More »
”
4 of 45 | Posted by: Liz Crook - Belleville, IL
“Mike and I were good friends in law school. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing. Mike was always a fun, sociable guy with a great sense of...Read More »
”
5 of 45 | Posted by: Jay Carey - Minneapolis, MN
“Dear Jackie -
We attended your wedding and I worked with Mike at Kurowski, Bailey & Shultz in Swansea, IL. I am sorry to hear of Mike's passing and...Read More »
”
6 of 45 | Posted by: Lauren and Tony Martins - MO
“I met Mike about six months after I started practicing law in 2004. He was with another defense firm and we became friends "on the circuit." I...Read More »
”
7 of 45 | Posted by: Heather Asunskis 
- Swansea, IL
“Doug and I are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Mike was such a bright kid and very high spirited. I was proud to hear he...Read More »
”
8 of 45 | Posted by: Suzie Ebbing - Fort Wayne, IN
“Darrell and Cindy
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your son, Michael.
Thoughts and prayers with you and your family.
Sincerely
”
9 of 45 | Posted by: Bill and Leah Borror - Syracuse, IN
“thinking of you.so sorry for your loss.love to you all
”
10 of 45 | Posted by: dave and liz kupkee - greenwood, IN
“Cindy and Darrell,
There is nothing worse than losing your child. God bless you both, I will keep you & Mike in my prayers. Keep the good...Read More »
”
11 of 45 | Posted by: Peg Smidt - Marion, IN
“When Mike would come to the house, my Dad loved to push his buttons. Often Mike would take the other side of the argument, just for the sake of...Read More »
”
12 of 45 | Posted by: Daniel Herber - Seymour, TN
“The Tackett family please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength during this difficult time. Henry is Ethan...Read More »
”
13 of 45 | Posted by: The Kelley family - Germantown, WI
“I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Mike coming into our room in Gallagher Hall at SJC. (I roomed with Clayton Temple, Dave Lieb and Brian Guerre...Read More »
”
14 of 45 | Posted by: Kerry M Foley - South Bend, IN
“I'm so very sorry for your loss . My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
”
15 of 45 | Posted by: Evan Miller - Roanoke , IN
“Darrell and Cindy, we are so sorry for your loss. We'd like to be there but due to Karen's illness, it's just not possible right now. But know that...Read More »
”
16 of 45 | Posted by: Sonny & Karen Sue Tackett
“Jackie - My prayers go out to you and your family. My sincerest condolences. Mike was a wonderful person with such character. He will be missed.
...Read More »
”
17 of 45 | Posted by: Lisa Curley - IN
“Our family is sorry for your loss. May you find peace and comfort in memories you hold dear. Praying for strength for your family. Maggie is in Ethan...Read More »
”
18 of 45 | Posted by: Sam, Kim, Madeline, Mason, Maggie Durand - WI
“Darrell & Cindy,
I'm so sorry to read of Mike's passing. I can only imagine the pain and sorrow you are experiencing. May HIS strength surround you...Read More »
”
19 of 45 | Posted by: Sue Bergman - Fort Wayne, IN
“In shock, I offer prayers for Mike's soul, along with those for peace of heart and mind for the Tackett and Leonard families. Jackie, I will pray for...Read More »
”
20 of 45 | Posted by: Rita Hawkins - Hollister, FL
“I remember Mike well from High School at Bishop Luers. He was a very nice guy who was always similng and very friendly. My thoughts and prayers...Read More »
”
21 of 45 | Posted by: Jeff Brechbill - Noblesville, IN
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. God Bless.
Tony, Renee, Sophia, Joseph and Ethan Mazurek- St...Read More »
”
22 of 45 | Posted by: Tony Mazurek - Germantown, WI
“Mike was one of nine grandkids on his mother's side of the family. Unfortunately, he had no control over the fact that he was the youngest of the...Read More »
”
23 of 45 | Posted by: Amy Randolph - Marion, IN
“Mike was a friend in law school at Washington University. He was one of those guys with whom you always felt comfortable. I often would seek him...Read More »
”
24 of 45 | Posted by: Chris Hite - St. Charles, MO
“To the family of Michael Tackett, I am so stunned and so saddened to hear of the loss of Mike. I worked with Mike at Allstate Insurance Company. He...Read More »
”
25 of 45 | Posted by: Sue Kilby - St. Louis, MO
“Our deepest Symphathy to you and your family during this difficult time. Please know that you our in our thoughts and our prayers. If there may be...Read More »
”
26 of 45 | Posted by: Raj and Sandy Setty - Fort Wayne, IN
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May you feel comforted by all the wonderful memories you hold in your hearts.
...Read More »
”
27 of 45 | Posted by: Kira Testin - Jackson, WI
“My sincerest sympathy to all of Mike's family. Our law school class was a special group and Mike was a solid guy, well-respected and liked. We are...Read More »
”
28 of 45 | Posted by: David Engman - Seville, Spain
“Sending prayers comfort, strentgh and hope to your family. What a great life to be taken so soon!
”
29 of 45 | Posted by: Amy Alfaro (Torrez) - Fort Wayne, IN
“Together we were Crusaders, Knights, and Pumas. How lucky I was to have him by my side, a perfect gentleman. Riding bikes and walking to school. ...Read More »
”
30 of 45 | Posted by: Stacie Erck - Chicago, IL
“To Mike's family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I have many great memories of Mike in high school. He was a terrific guy and I enjoyed our times very...Read More »
”
31 of 45 | Posted by: Sean Lamborne - Frisco, TX
“My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time....
”
32 of 45 | Posted by: Michelle (Davis) Scialdone - NY
“Our deepest sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mike, Becky,...Read More »
”
33 of 45 | Posted by: Mike, Becky, Avery, and Grayson Hames - WI
“Over the last day and half there has been much reminiscing and a bittersweet reunion of friends in honor of Mike. It is clear he will be missed by...Read More »
”
34 of 45 | Posted by: Jenn Krouse - Lexington, KY
“Tackett family, our sincerest condolences to your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do, please let us...Read More »
”
35 of 45 | Posted by: Jason, Angi, Braeden and Jack Gonzalez - WI
“I'm so sorry for your loss. Mike was a great guy and always made me laugh. My thoughts are with your family.
”
36 of 45 | Posted by: Jill Cox - Indianapolis, IN
“I'm so very sorry for you loss. My prayers are with your family.
”
37 of 45 | Posted by: Cindi Urick-Greer (Boneff) - IN
“I'm sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
”
38 of 45 | Posted by: Angela (Oldham) Baldinger
“My prayers, deepest sympathies, and love go out to you all. Mike was a wonderful man, and I am so sorry to learn of his passing. Please let us know...Read More »
”
39 of 45 | Posted by: Amy Meyers - Huntersville, NC
“Our most sincere condolences to the Tackett family, and heartfelt prayers to your wife and kids, Mike.
The Halls.
”
40 of 45 | Posted by: Ben Hall - Fort Wayne, IN
“I have many fond memories of Mike from our days as students at SJC...staying up late talking while he was working security, encounters in Gallagher...Read More »
”
41 of 45 | Posted by: Terra Maienbrook - Rensselaer, IN
“You made life at Pumaville fun and rewarding. You are missed already. Sincerest condolences to Jackie, Ethan, and Lauren, the Tackett and Leonard...Read More »
”
42 of 45 | Posted by: Maureen Minielli - Staten Island, NY
“Mike was one of my students at Saint Joseph's College. We remained in touch after he graduated. Only last year Mike took time out of his day to pen a...Read More »
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43 of 45 | Posted by: Peter Watkins - Rensselaer, IN
“When I was 16, I moved to Ft Wayne and attended Bishop Luers High School, where I met my friend and confidante, Michael Wade Tackett. His parents,...Read More »
”
44 of 45 | Posted by: Jonathan Bringewatt - Golden, CO
“Mike,
Thank you for being a wonderful friend to my brother and thank you for always making me smile as a 7 year old.
”
45 of 45 | Posted by: Kristin
Michael W. Tackett, 38, passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2012 in Ft. Wayne. Born in Ft. Wayne, Mike attended Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, IN and practiced law in the St. Louis area. He was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church. Mike enjoyed spending time with his children, fishing and camping. He is survived by his wife, Jackie Leonard-Tackett of Germantown, WI; children, Ethan and Lauren Tackett; parents, Darrell and Cindy Tackett of Ft. Wayne; brother, Mark Tackett of Ft. Wayne; grandfather, Charles Tackett of Marion, IN; and mother-in-law, Joy Leonard of Germantown, WI. Mike was preceded in death by grandparents, Velma Tackett and James and Phyllis Watson and his father-in-law, Robert Leonard. Mass of Christian Burial is 10 AM Monday, January 30, 2012 at St. Therese Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior. Visitation also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm Sunday at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to his children's education fund, c/o Jackie Leonard-Tackett. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com.
Visitation
January 29, 2012
2:00 PM
to 4:00 PM
6:00 PM
to 8:00 PM
D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home
8325 Covington Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
(260) 426-9494
Mass of Christian Burial
January 30, 2012
10:00 AM
St. Therese Catholic Church
2304 Lower Huntington Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Share A Story
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When I was 16, I moved to Ft Wayne and attended Bishop Luers High School, where I met my friend and confidante, Michael Wade Tackett. His parents, Darrell and Cindy, opened the doors to their home and welcomed us to hang out there. I don’t know if they realize how much that meant to us – it’s so important for a couple of teenage boys to have a place to discuss the trials and tribulations of adolescence.
One night in particular, this was about twenty years ago, it snowed in Ft Wayne and Mike suggested that we take a walk in the snow and discuss the meaning of life. Mike tended to think a lot so we got along great. Well, I thought walking in the snow at night was about the best idea any one could have, so off we went, meandering around Waynedale. If I recall, our conversation covered our views on God and Women which were basically one and the same view – total and complete awe. But we mostly talked about our uncertain futures. What would the future hold? What were our hopes and dreams? Would we love and be loved? Mike veered from very practical ideas such as becoming an attorney to more radical dreams of being a famous actor. I really encouraged the actor idea because I myself thought being a famous novelist sounded about right. Well, we finally settled on the idea that we didn’t know what the future would be like – it was a great big mystery – and there was such a palpable thrill in accepting the unknown while the snowflakes fell all around us. We were so enraptured by that moment. We were in a transcendent state. It was a spiritual moment for a couple of 17 or 18 year old kids. As our walk came to an end, we decided that one day when we were old and gray we would co-author a book entitled “Walks on Snowy Evenings”. We thought when we were old, instead of writing about an unknown future, we could write about what would then be our known past and what we had learned from life.
Let's face it, most of our crazy dreams of youth didn't come true. Mike did become an attorney, but to my knowledge fame on the stage was elusive just as the great American novel was for me. Can we just for once admit how hard this life can be? Mike was not immune from suffering out here in the real world. None of us are. Each and every one of us suffers, sometimes so much so that our hearts just split right open. Mike opened his heart to me and it was a beautiful gift. He shared his hopes and dreams, his hopelessness and despair. It was real, out here in the real world. He loved me, he loved his friends, he loved his family, and we all loved him. And when I really stop to think about that snowy walk, that's all we really wanted -- to love and be loved. So, we've both been lucky -- we've experienced so much love right along with our suffering.
Alright, Mike, my friend, here's an excerpt of a poem by T. McGrath that I thought you would like. It's called Epitaph:
Again, traveler, you have come a long way led by that star.
But the kingdom of the wish is at the other end of the night.
May you fare well, companero; let us journey together, joyfully.
When I was 16, I moved to Ft Wayne and attended Bishop Luers High School, where I met my friend and confidante, Michael Wade Tackett. His parents, Darrell and Cindy, opened the doors to their home and welcomed us to hang out there. I don’t know if they realize how much that meant to us – it’s so important for a couple of teenage boys to have a place to discuss the trials and tribulations of adolescence.
One night in particular, this was about twenty years ago, it snowed in Ft Wayne and Mike suggested that we take a walk in the snow and discuss the meaning of life. Mike tended to think a lot so we got along great. Well, I thought walking in the snow at night was about the best idea any one could have, so off we went, meandering around Waynedale. If I recall, our conversation covered... READ MORE →
Comments
Posted by Penny Wagner from Caseyville, IL - friend on
January 28, 2012
Thank you for writing this very moving tribute to Mike. I worked with Mike in Belleville, Illinois and agree that he was a young man of character and integrity. I am sorry for your loss. The family will certainly be in my prayers during this very difficult time.
Thank you for writing this very moving tribute to Mike. I worked with Mike in Belleville, Illinois and agree that he was a young man of character and integrity. I am sorry for your... READ MORE →
Comment →
January 27, 2012