Michael Joseph (Mike) Wright, 84, of Seymour, Indiana passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 29, 2026. He was born in Vallonia, Indiana on December 22, 1941, to Lester E. and Hazel K. (Jones) Wright. On April 21, 1963, he married Pauline F. (Ruddick) Wright, who survives.

Also surviving are his sisters and brothers: Karen Phillips, Linda Wheeler, Doug Wright, Tim Wright, and Mark Wright; four children: Michelle D. Escher, Paula J. (Matthew) Hercamp, Michael J. (Stacy) Wright, and Susan L. (Matthew) Prince; 12 grandchildren: Grant Nail, Griffin Escher, Kelly Hawkins, Kyle Hercamp, Alex Hercamp, Kaitlyn Sheets, Amanda Otte, Michael Wright, Hannah Prince, Rachel Prince, Sarah Prince, and Luke Prince; five great-grandchildren: Deacon Sheets, Ember Sheets, Ivory White-Escher, Weston Otte, and Ruth Otte. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Melvin Wheeler and Robert Phillips.

Mike graduated from Vallonia High School in 1959. He graduated from Indiana University Southeast in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He served four years in the US Navy from 1962-66. He was a Communications Technician CTR3 with a Top-Secret Cryptographic clearance. He did a yearlong float aboard the USNS Valdez around southern

Africa and became a “Shellback” in 1965.

Mike worked for 31 years at Cummins Engine Company and retired in 1996. He was a Master Mason since 1983 and a member of Jackson Masonic Lodge #146 in Seymour. He was also a member of VFW Post 1925 in Seymour, American Legion Post 89, and a former member of

First Baptist Church in Seymour, where he drove the church bus and was a deacon for several years. He played church league softball for several years in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Mike was an expert angler and likely knew bass fishing on Lake Monroe better than anyone for several years in the 1990s and early 2000s. He was a member of the local B.A.S.S. fishing club and held the title of “Mr. Bass” for several years. He also enjoyed squirrel hunting and may hold the modern era Jackson County record of 568 squirrels in one season.

Mike also enjoyed writing poetry, making custom gun stocks, and travelling with Pauline. He coached slow-pitch girls’ softball and coached a team that won a state championship in 1989. In later years, Mike enjoyed cheering on his grandchildren in their sports.

Funeral services for Michael Joseph (Mike) Wright will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Home with Chris Criminger officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, August 5th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will take place at Vallonia Cemetery and full military rites will be conducted.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnsonfh.net.