Obituary of Francis Michael Maeder

Mike went to his heavenly home on June 03, 2023 at the age of 80. Mike was born to Frank Earl Maeder and Emogene (Gene)Maeder on December 5, 1942 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Mike attended Okmulgee High School and after graduation he joined the United States Air Force. He proudly served 4 years as Air Force Police, where he attained the level of expert marksman and earned the National Defence Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in August of 1966. He never talked much about his time in the Air Force, but if you knew him, you knew he was proud of his country and the beliefs it was founded on. Mike met the love of his life, Mary Juanita Armstrong in 1967. They met as a result of an introduction preceding what was supposed to be a double date with his brother and Mary ’s friend. The date between his brother and Mary ’s friend never happened but the introduction was the spark that led to spending the rest of their lives together. After one year of dating they were married on July 4, 1968 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mike and Mary had three children together. Brian, John and Stephanie. They raised their children in Okmulgee until 1984 when they moved to the Claremore Oklahoma area to be closer to Mary ’s mom. Some of the things Mike enjoyed over the years were football, fishing and camping. Both Brian and John played football in high school and Mike was at every game no matter how far it was. While Mary always watched nervously from the stands Mike roamed the side lines like a coach and was there to support the boys. He loved to fish. No one really knows where this came from but he really enjoyed it. Although he didn ’t fish much the last couple of years he still loved to camp with the family. His favorite things to do while camping were eating and playing cards. He would plan all the meals for the entire camping trip two weeks in advance. His favorite card game was phase 10. You knew when Mike said “well do we want to play some cards” you were going to be playing phase 10 for the next two hours. He loved to play but he hated to lose. So whenever someone would beat him, his response was always, they had to be cheating. Of course that never stopped him from wanting to play again. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Gene Maeder and brother Pat Maeder. Mike is survived by his wife Mary Maeder of Claremore, sister in law Penny Maeder of Claremore, brother Steve Maeder and wife Vicky of Marion, TX, son Brian Maeder and wife Carla of Oologah, son John Maeder and wife Jamie of Claremore, daughter Stephanie Henderson and husband Mitch of Claremore and daughter Zotoz Hines and husband Mike of Prairie Village, KS As well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.