Mike was born September 20, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri to Linden and Janice Edda Panknin.
He graduated from East High School in 1964. He attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg and served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.
Mike worked as a psychiatric aide at Western Missouri Mental Health Center and Research Psychiatric Center. He married Janice Yamada Panknin in June of 1983, raising his daughter, Alicia and stepsons, David and Brian.
Mike is survived by his wife Janice Y. Panknin, daughter Alicia Panknin, sister Gina (Tommy) Shick, Niece Kelly, Nephew Andrew and many cousins, sister-in-law Phyllis Hansen, sons Dr. David Yamada and Brian (Kyla) Yamada, and grandchildren Naomi and Gabe Yamada, and Jack, Annie and Callie Yamada. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Linden, and mother, Janice.
Mike enjoyed fishing and cooking -- although he never followed a recipe. He cared for his garden and plants. He was an avid photographer of his flowers and the outdoors. He was adept at finding old, ugly cars and extracting every mile and ounce of value from them. Mike read books voraciously and spent a lot of time online, enjoying gaming, social media and sharing his sarcastic sense of humor with family and friends.
Mike will be greatly missed by his family and those who knew him, yet they all have the peace of mind knowing he no longer has to fight every day and will be at rest. His family would like to express their appreciation to all of the health care workers and caregivers that supported Mike.
Fond and funny memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Panknin family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the KU Cancer Center, via KU Endowment, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160, to benefit bladder cancer research. Online contributions may be made at www.kuendowment.org/give. Please indicate that donations are for the Mike Panknin memorial.
