Michael Sopko

Michael Sopko, age 67, lost his long battle with cancer September 5, 2009.

Michael was born in Cleveland, Ohio and lived most of his childhood in Wickliffe and Willoughby. He moved to the Kansas City area while he was in the Air Force and liked it so well he decided to stay.

He was preceded in death by his father, Mike Sopko, his mother Stella (Nadolski) Sopko, and baby sister, Michele. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Lynn Sopko; son Michael Andrew; daughters Melissa MacDonald, her husband Kenneth, Lisa Sopko her husband Kevin Fogarty; sister Jane Piszczor her husband Bart with their children Stacey, Beth, Kim and Andrew; mother-in-law Jean Walters; sisters-in-law Donna Ranes, Robbin McGuire her husband TJ, Diana Gardner her husband Lance; brothers-in-law, Vance Walters, Richard Talley his wife Diane, Tom Griffin, Edward Griffin his wife Sandi, Richard Griffin his wife Christie, Keith Griffin, Darrell Walters his wife Patsy.

Michael had a lifelong love of photography and gardening and was most at rest when cutting his grass and tending his many beautiful flowers. He and his family lived in Shawnee from November 1967 until May of 2007 when they moved to DeSoto, Kansas.

After his discharge from the Air Force in December of 1966, he started working for Crick Camera Shop, previously located in Brookside. He worked there until the past couple months when his illness made it impossible to continue. Michael will be remembered for his honesty, hard work, loyalty and his dry sense of humor. He was a very special person who was loved by many and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Visitation and Funeral Mass

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, Kansas; inurnment in the Resurrection Cemetery.