God love you, brother. Lord, let perpetual light shine upon him.  You gave much of your life to defending our great nation. We appreciate you, your service and your family's staunch support. You are missed.

Rest in peace, friend.
Respectfully,
Tim Casey MAJ, USA, Retired
Henderson, NV

I was very sorry to learn today that Mike had died I worked with him in the oil fields in North Dakota he was a great guy surely will be missed definitely a good family man and a whole lot of fun to watch as a wrestler.
 Rick Poole

The Corporal was one of my favorites growing up. His feud with the Sheik and Volkoff was great. May you R.I.P. and one last thing....."AIRBOURNE!!!"

So sorry for the passing of Mike.You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
                              Sincerely,
                                       Mike and Debbie Cochran

Party at our house in Apple Valley Minnesota. (1981)

As I go through my old photo's of Mike, it brings back memories of how much fun he was. I was so proud to be his cousin. I remember the time that Me & my husband, at the time, Tony, went with him and Terry Hogan to the Burnsville Bowling alley and they started playing "Eye of the Tiger" when we walked in.

Mike and my sister Erin standing up for me and Tony for our wedding.
April 5, 1980

Mike you were always there for me.  Good times and bad. Our talks really helped me through some of the bad ones. When it was at it’s worst after my Brother passed , I could always call you. Your  reassurance, straight talk, and optimism always got me through. I will be forever grateful.  I am certain My Brother would have met you to show you around up there. He loved you very much.  Now I have another Brother up there.  I will miss you Mike.


Hi folks, I saw Mike many times at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. He did his job very well.  God bless him.
                                                                                        K J Hobbs.

My cousin Mike, when our family had a tragedy, he came in with Tina, my Aunt and Uncle. We needed them so much to be there. I realize this now when I think back. I don’t know how we would have made it without the families love and caring for us.
I’m forever grateful. Rest in piece Mike and meet up with Rocky, Squeak and Cha.
Love you 

Haden, Kyle and Mike at Kyle's wedding. They had a wonderful time and Mike danced the night away.

Photos of Mike with Kathleen Radice's youngest daughter Tiffany 

I got to know Mike and his family very well over the course of a few years, they were a big part of my life. The very first time I met him, he made me wait outside of his house before entering, for what seemed like an eternity. I was so nervous to meet this larger than life wrestler, whom I watched growing up as a child. Once meeting him and getting to know him, he was so kind, funny and so generous.. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. 

Even though we lived miles apart and only got together once in a great while, you will always be my beloved cousin ,“Big Mike”. Following your career from afar, I bragged to all that Corporal Kirchner was my cousin!! It made me feel proud and courageous to think I was related to you. Thank you for letting me ride your coattail!
Rest, Big Mike, in the loving arms of God. 

Mike instructing Tony how to put together some gadget that he got at the hobby shop.

I was saddened to hear the news of my cousin Mike's passing. Mike and my husband Tony became very close friends and had a common interest in riding their Harley's. Mike introduced us to wrestling, up close and personal when he invited us to his room after a match in Bloomington, MN and I got to meet wrestlers such as Tito Santana, Andre the Giant, The Sheik, Terminators, just to mention a few. But the biggest thrill was meeting Hulk Hogan. 
The photo I am posting is from our trip Florida, when we came for Thanksgiving in 1984.

I remember watching Corporal Kirchner wrestle. He was one of my favorites. May his family and friends find peace and comfort during this difficult time. 

As a kid growing up in Wisconsin and loving wrestling in the early 80's.

The Corporal Kirchner character was a personal favorite of mine. 
One night I was fortunate to catch two of these larger than life personalities up close for an autograph on my show program. 

One was the Macho Man, and to my delight, the other was the Corporal. 
In a day when there were no meet and greets, I was the only one to get a signature.  I asked if he would sign it and after doing so smiled at me and closed the door at the back of the arena where he was watching matches. 

A flood of kids came up at me to see him as I ran back to tell my big Brother what had just happened. 
He made me feel like Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka just now getting a golden ticket.

I will never forget him for making a wonderful memory in my childhood.

I hope this memory brings his family a smile in your time of loss.
You'll always be the champ in my heart Michael James Penzel.


God bless you kind Sir. 
Sincerely, a fan.
Barsom Manashian 
of Miilwaukee Wisconsin

I love you and Im going to miss you so much you are my cousin but  you weremy brother to we were only six weeks apart so many good memories like I told you yesterday on the phone Im not mad Im very sad we were going to get really old together but you will be in my heart right next to dad everyday I wont ever forget you  you big lug. love and miss you so much already Debbie

So sorry to hear of the Cpl’s passing.  Thank you for providing me and many others with so many great memories during your time in the squared circle!  R.I.P. 

Mike and I bounced and rode Harleys together in Minnesota. He was a great guy and a true brother. 

I remember watching him as a child and cheering as he defended the United States in WrestleMania 2 I believe it was. Gave me something to look up to. Prayers to him and his friends and family. 

I didn’t know Michael personally but saw him wrestle many times in my childhood with WWF.  He was always a favorite of mine to see both on TV and in person .  Prayers to his family and thank you for the great memories . 

Michael (or as I called him growing up, Pappy), was a man who knew how to push me and encourage me to always be and do better. He always made sure I did my homework before I could play outside and would always wrestle with me in the bed as a little boy.

He would tell me to tap out and give up when he got me in a submission but all he really wanted was for me to push myself past my limits. I’ll never forget the help I got from him in writing a story in elementary school about the one-eyed green slime monster.

He passed away just hours after the birth of my first child and I will regret not being able to say bye to him one last time. I pray that God will watch over my mother as she mourns the loss of her husband of nearly 30 years, and that the hearts of his children and grandchildren will always remember the good that he did for them and for others.

Sorry to hear this.I knew him through Pro Wrestling many years ago in S Florida.He was always a gentleman.Sincere sympathy to his family

 He helped me to fall in love with pro wrestling. I spent years playing with his LJN action figure. I still have his action figure and my own children have played with it. Rest in peace Michael. Prayers to the family. 

When I was a kid Mike was one of my favorite wrestlers and I remember how happy I was when he won at Wrestlemania 2.  RIP

Mike lived upstairs from me in fort Lauderdale FL  years ago. The tattoo of the chain saw on his fore arm was my chain saw.when I knew Mike he was A  very quiet man that carried a big stick .sorry for your loss.

Mike,

We were roommates for years.   We called ourselves the Road Warriors.   I learned a lot from you.   I absorbed a lot unknowing at that time I would actually put it into practice.  I see that in how I am with my sons.  Thank you for the great times we shared here.   I believe your mission here is complete and are needed on another important mission God has planned for you.   I will miss you.  I will see you in the afterlife.   Rest In Peace brother!

-Guido 

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mike Penzel 
R.I.P.  "Corporal"
Chris Monaco
Naugatuck, CT

You were one of my favorite wrestlers as a kid in 1986 when I first started watching WWF. I was so excited to see you wrestle N. Volkoff at the Nanticoke, PA high school gym. I wish I could have met you and shook your hand. Rest in peace. 


As a kid I was at a WWF house show in Long Island NY and I remember making a poster for Cpl. Kirchner. I could see when he entered the ring that he caught sight of it. Little did I know that later that night I would get to meet him and he signed it for me. I will always remember that night! Very sad to hear this. 

Michael was a friend of mine.  I can't find words to express or describe how I feel right at this moment.  I am trying to process the fact that I will not be able to see him for a while.  He has left this world.  I will be here a while longer. It was just like yesterday that we would be meeting up somewhere in Ikebukuro district in Tokyo, just about every week.  We sat, talked, laughed, shared ideas about life, ate, drank, had great time.  I miss you.  Please don't break heaven's door or anything. Just kidding. Love you lots.
Your friend, 
Fumi

I got to know Mike a little bit when I hired him to sign wrestling memorabilia.  He was with us at the same time as Stone Cold Steve Austin.  We enjoyed each other’s company, shared wrestling stories, and margaritas.  I’m sorry to hear that he passed but I am grateful that I had the chance to know him. 
Sean Jacoby

The Corporal lives on in my childhood memories and has taken his place in my wall of heroes as an adult. 
Thoughts and prayers to his family. 
-Dave 

Me and Mike spent alot of years in the oil field in North Dakota.  We became close friends not only as Co workers but as Army Veterans.  He was easy going for a giant. I will deeply miss him. Until we meet again brother. God has your six now. 

Mike we loved you from the first day we met you.  You were always happy and had a big heart. I will never forget the night you wrestled in St. Paul and after your match you came up in the stands and gave your Grandpa a hug.  He was so proud of you.  My your soul Rest In Peace 
Love Uncle Larry 

I will miss our old war stories my friend! 

Lots of great memories my brother,  we thought we had some more left in us but you were gone too soon.  Til we meet again,  Love you,  you big chooch.         Alex and Tank.             

OBITUARY

Michael James Penzel

7 September, 1957 – 22 December, 2021

Loflin Funeral Home

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