Michael "Mick" Eugene McCollum

Michael (Mick) Eugene McCollum, age 80, of Fort Wayne, Indiana died peacefully at his home on May 11, 2023. Beloved husband to his wife of 56 years, Sue; loving father to Lisa (Nick) Paflas, Brad (Christine) McCollum, Jennifer (Rich) Leopold, and Katie (Rod Alter) Burrows; proud Grampy to Charlie, William, Margaret, and Elizabeth Paflas; Max, Madeleine, Maeve, and Meghan McCollum; Calvin and Henry Leopold; and Penelope Burrows; cherished brother to Jim, Steve, and Jeff McCollum. Mick will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Francis McCollum, his brother, David, and his son-in-law, Bob.

Born in Fort Wayne, on March 19, 1943, Mick was the oldest of five sons. He graduated from Lynn High School in 1961 and later enrolled at Ball State University. While working as an orderly at Ball Memorial Hospital, he met a young nursing student, his dearest Sue. They married on July 1, 1966. Later that year, Mick left to serve as an Army medevac helicopter pilot in Vietnam, where he served with valor earning the Distinguished Flying Cross Award. In 1970, he graduated from Indiana University Business School. He would go on to start his own company, Automation Engineering, which he led successfully for nearly 40 years.

Mick was known by his family and friends for his warmth, generosity, and can-do attitude. He filled many leadership positions in service to his community. He served as a member of the Canterbury Board and Foundation, President of the Philharmonic Board, President and later Executive Director of the Quest Club, and was a long-standing member of the Fort Wayne Business Forum. After selling his business, he went on to help establish the Allen County Economic Alliance. His favorite job of all was volunteering as a cuddler at Lutheran Hospital's NICU.

Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM at D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Homes – Covington Knoll 8325 Covington Rd., Ft. Wayne, IN. A funeral service will be held on May 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Emmanuel Community Church 12222 US HWY 24 W, Fort Wayne IN 46814 with visitation one hour before services.

Donations in Mick's honor can be directed to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana and Stillwater Hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the McCollum family.