Michael Albert Elliott

Son, your work on earth is done,

Go to heaven a-shoutin’

Love for the Father and the Son*

On Tuesday, December 19, Michael Albert Elliott, ascended that heavenly mountain with family present to see him off on his journey.

Perhaps those who knew Mike best will remember his Southern Ohio accent, friendly approach, love of baseball, penchant for reading and knowledge of theology. Throughout his 81 years, he experienced the full spectrum of life. He is a proud dad, grandfather and great grandfather. Being the people person that he was, he chose not to retire until reaching 70 years of age only to be called back to work 3 more times before finally calling it a career at 79.

Mike was a man of incredible resilience. There were so many loved ones lost before their time: father, Albert “Fos” Elliott, mother, Louise Lockhart Elliott, brother Rich, wife Charlotte, grandniece Abby and son Scott. In spite of these crushing blows, Mike always found the courage to persevere. In fact, these experiences gave him the compassion to sit with those who were suffering. His personal ministries included calling on hospital patients, talks with the grief stricken and regular visits with a death row inmate. On many occasions, Mike’s hard-earned wisdom was the answer to another person’s prayer.

Nearly everywhere Mike went, he came upon a familiar face. Better yet, he would meet a stranger and easily find a connection to them. They were the relative of a former colleague, went to the same doctor, lived in the same neighborhood or played in the same golf league in 1982. The best one yet was when Mike attended the 40-year reunion of my high school class and made a connection to a classmate that I didn’t even know. As it turned out, both Mike and my former classmate had a mutual friend in Columbus. And Mike had an incredible memory for names. If he met you once in 1992, he still could recall your name in 2023.

Earlier this year, Mike reconnected with Savannah, the granddaughter he hadn’t seen since she was a newborn. He was delighted to know her and the two of them spoke regularly. Mike learned that he had a great granddaughter, June. Although his plans to meet with them in person go unfulfilled, the joy of knowing them put a beautiful song in his heart.

My list of Mike’s most unforgettable qualities includes his love of babies, fondness for olives and oysters, respect for all branches of our armed forces, ability to earn the respect and friendship of his youngest colleagues, quick responses to nearly all Jeopardy! clues, vast collection of shoes, inability to pick up after himself, loyalty to Casey, his best buddy of the last 18 years, endless dedication to his daughter Megan, willingness to accept people of other traditions as his siblings, appreciation of nearly all music genres and having the courage to ask an introvert like me to accompany him to lunch all those years ago.

Mike is survived by his sister Susan (Rodney) Barnett, niece Kristin (Jesse) Ruby, niece Laura (Scott) Elliott Heckaman, grandniece and grandnephew, Alyssa and Asa Ruby, daughter Megan Powell, grandchildren Ashlynn and Braylen Powell and wife of 11 years, Laura Wickerham Elliott.

*From the song Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill