Obituary for Stephen Michael "Mick" Slessinger
Stephen Michael "Mick" Slessinger (Age 70) passed away in the early morning hours on March 21, 2021 after a long battle with multiple health issues. He passed with the love of his life, his wife of 33 years, Sherry and son Blayne near his side.
If you have begun reading this and are asking yourself if you knew Mickey, the answer is you didn’t because you never would have forgot it. Please take a minute and read on and we will prove it to you.
The baby brother of Louis, Jr. and the son of Ellen and Louis Slessinger, Sr. was born (please start singing like you are Marty Robbins) "♫Out in the West Texas town of El Paso♫" on February 16, 1951. After spending his preteen years in El Paso, TX and Mexico, he and the family would return to Bloomington where he would proudly spend the remainder of his life.
Mick had what some may have described as a slight wild side in his younger days and in the context of this musing, we will simply refer to it as adventurous. His adventurous side helped form his dynamic and witty personality that touched so many. He possessed a great fondness for so many things, but if we had to list a few it would be: a clean car, an organized man-cave garage, tamales, a well-groomed lawn, Chinese take-out, parrots, executing a great prank on a friend, a good campfire, someone telling a great story, beautiful pictures, the Hoosiers, a cold beer, and dehydrated meat. These things, however, can only be surpassed by his love of his family, friends, and pets.
Not long after graduation from Bloomington High School South in 1969 and a brief period of self-discovery Mick began working at General Electric where he would work for 36 years. During his years at GE he did so much more than find employment and earn a living. Instead he found a community of lifetime friends and family. The relationships that he formed were done so by helping others find a smile when they couldn't find one themselves, passing along a kind word, an encouraging gesture, and loyalty. These relationships and friendships sustained him and motivated him through the toughest of times. They brought him joy and enabled him to have peace through his final days.
Mick encouraged so many behind the scenes (and sometimes embarrassingly in front of many) to do your best and believe in yourself. He gleaned great joy from seeing others succeed. His smile, laugh, and wit will be missed by so many.
Throughout his years he had many names: Stephen Michael, Mickey, Mick, Uncle Mick, Papaw is survived by his wife Sherry Slessinger, son Blayne Slessinger (Emily), daughter Amanda Eads, grandchildren J. R. and Kennedy Hatton, brother Louis Slessinger, Jr. (Barbara), nieces Jennifer Robinson (Eric), Sarah Haycraft (Aaron), Jennifer Bierbaum (Mike), Bobbie Pike (Casey), nephews David Slessinger (Michelle), Mark Slessinger (Toni), Brad McLaughlin (Molly) and Travis Shofner (Jenny), great nieces Sabrina Slessinger, Nola Ann Slessinger, great nephews Holden and Beaux Slessinger, sister in law Karen Hughes, brother in law Kirk McLaughlin (Alisa)
In the end, Mick would like you all to know that his work here is done. He finally received a job offer he couldn't refuse. The job comes with a great salary, benefits, and perfect weather. He will be running a place in heaven called Parrot's Patio Bar & Grill where all are welcome. Reunions and grand stories are on tap along with cold beer. The kitchen is always open, the dress code is casual, and pets are welcome. The only thing that couldn't be changed was his abilities as an extremely mediocre dancer!
Thank you Mick, for the smiles, love, kindness, friendship, and loyalty. Cheers and “Te Veo Pronto” - see you soon.
A celebration of life gathering will take place in the coming weeks.
In lieu of flowers and in his honor; put on a Hawaiian shirt, have a cold beer, and hug the ones you love.
God Bless
Romans 5:5
If you have begun reading this and are asking yourself if you knew Mickey, the answer is you didn’t because you never would have forgot it. Please take a minute and read on and we will prove it to you.
The baby brother of Louis, Jr. and the son of Ellen and Louis Slessinger, Sr. was born (please start singing like you are Marty Robbins) "♫Out in the West Texas town of El Paso♫" on February 16, 1951. After spending his preteen years in El Paso, TX and Mexico, he and the family would return to Bloomington where he would proudly spend the remainder of his life.
Mick had what some may have described as a slight wild side in his younger days and in the context of this musing, we will simply refer to it as adventurous. His adventurous side helped form his dynamic and witty personality that touched so many. He possessed a great fondness for so many things, but if we had to list a few it would be: a clean car, an organized man-cave garage, tamales, a well-groomed lawn, Chinese take-out, parrots, executing a great prank on a friend, a good campfire, someone telling a great story, beautiful pictures, the Hoosiers, a cold beer, and dehydrated meat. These things, however, can only be surpassed by his love of his family, friends, and pets.
Not long after graduation from Bloomington High School South in 1969 and a brief period of self-discovery Mick began working at General Electric where he would work for 36 years. During his years at GE he did so much more than find employment and earn a living. Instead he found a community of lifetime friends and family. The relationships that he formed were done so by helping others find a smile when they couldn't find one themselves, passing along a kind word, an encouraging gesture, and loyalty. These relationships and friendships sustained him and motivated him through the toughest of times. They brought him joy and enabled him to have peace through his final days.
Mick encouraged so many behind the scenes (and sometimes embarrassingly in front of many) to do your best and believe in yourself. He gleaned great joy from seeing others succeed. His smile, laugh, and wit will be missed by so many.
Throughout his years he had many names: Stephen Michael, Mickey, Mick, Uncle Mick, Papaw is survived by his wife Sherry Slessinger, son Blayne Slessinger (Emily), daughter Amanda Eads, grandchildren J. R. and Kennedy Hatton, brother Louis Slessinger, Jr. (Barbara), nieces Jennifer Robinson (Eric), Sarah Haycraft (Aaron), Jennifer Bierbaum (Mike), Bobbie Pike (Casey), nephews David Slessinger (Michelle), Mark Slessinger (Toni), Brad McLaughlin (Molly) and Travis Shofner (Jenny), great nieces Sabrina Slessinger, Nola Ann Slessinger, great nephews Holden and Beaux Slessinger, sister in law Karen Hughes, brother in law Kirk McLaughlin (Alisa)
In the end, Mick would like you all to know that his work here is done. He finally received a job offer he couldn't refuse. The job comes with a great salary, benefits, and perfect weather. He will be running a place in heaven called Parrot's Patio Bar & Grill where all are welcome. Reunions and grand stories are on tap along with cold beer. The kitchen is always open, the dress code is casual, and pets are welcome. The only thing that couldn't be changed was his abilities as an extremely mediocre dancer!
Thank you Mick, for the smiles, love, kindness, friendship, and loyalty. Cheers and “Te Veo Pronto” - see you soon.
A celebration of life gathering will take place in the coming weeks.
In lieu of flowers and in his honor; put on a Hawaiian shirt, have a cold beer, and hug the ones you love.
God Bless
Romans 5:5