Michael W. Sanders

Michael "Spike" W. Sanders, age 67, of Green Bay, passed away peacefully on December 8 at home surrounded by his loving family. Mike fought a long, hard battle with cancer and many other health issues. Mike was born on January 30, 1956 in Green Bay, to Ronald and Elizabeth "Betty" (Raasch) Sanders. He was a 1974 graduate of Southwest High School.

Mike had many passions such as art, woodworking, entertaining, hosting Packer parties, and being with friends and family up north. Mike's happy place was the family cottage up north in Lakewood. Any free moment Mike had, he would spend it up north relaxing by the lake with a drink in his hand. Mike had numerous jobs throughout the years. His last job before getting sick was at Quality Insulators, but his most prized job was being a stay at home dad when his daughters were young. Being unable to work, Mike spent his days at home with his beloved dogs, Milo and Willow, and grandpuppy, Ruby. The dogs always brought a smile to his face and he loved playing and snuggling with them.

Mike was known as Spike by all of his friends. Being an entertainer at heart, he had owned two different bars. Spike was the proud owner of Schooners and Spike's Upper Deck. Many wonderful friendships were created at his bars including meeting his future wife. Mike and Shawn met in 1984 and quickly fell in love. The two married on June 20, 1998 and welcomed their first daughter Meghan in 2000 and second daughter, Allyson "Ally" in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, Shawn, and two daughters, Meghan (fiancée Bryce Whitefield), and Allyson; bonus daughter Chloe Penza; sister Kathryn (Sanders) Close and brother Robert Sanders; brother-in-law, Bruce (Jackie) Mallow; numerous nieces and nephews; up north family, Watertown family, and many other friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Susan "Sue" (Sanders) Naug and brother-in-law Harold Close.

A celebration of life will be held on December 22, 2023 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1731 St. Agnes Street Green Bay, 54304. Visitation will take place from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm and a service will follow at 2:00 pm. In honor of Mike "Spike" and his happy, outgoing personality, all are welcome to wear a Hawaiian shirt, a Packer shirt, a Cubs shirt, or a Spike's Upper Deck shirt if you would like to. We would like to thank all of the nurses and doctors at Aurora BayCare for the wonderful care they have had for Mike over the years as well as the Aurora hospice nurses who took care of him at home.