Michael Joseph Waldmann

Michael Joseph (Mike) Waldmann, age 74, went to Heaven on Wednesday, November 3rd. He was born July 31, 1936, to Carl and Monica (Eisenmenger) Waldmann in Brainerd, Minnesota. He attended high school and junior college in Brainerd, MN and Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. In 1955 he joined the U. S. Air Force and was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. He married Martha Gail Henson on August 5, 1961. Mike was honorably discharged in 1963. He retired from U.S. Brass after 30 years and was employed at the Food Bank of Abilene until 2007.

Mike was a past member of the Abilene Jaycee's and also the Knights of Columbus, having served as Grand Knight. He was fully involved in the Catholic Christian Community in Abilene and in the Diocese of San Angelo. Mike has lead the Catholic Charismatic Prayer Groups in Abilene for over 40 years. He was a member of the Diocesan Charismatic Service Committee and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, having served on the Parish Council, and as Usher, Lector and Eucharistic Minister. He made his Cursillo and was a Cursillista and he and Gail are members of Teams of our Lady.

Mike was greeted in heaven by his grandparents, Joseph and Anna Waldmann; parents, Carl and Monica Waldmann, his father-in-law, Albert Duke Henson; his brother and sister-in-law, John and Gaye Waldmann; his children, Albert Carl, Patrick, Peter, Paul, Monica, Anthony, Nathaniel, and Benjamin Waldmann; also his grandchildren, Lyndsey Delaney Rex Waldmann, Jessica, Baby and Molly Waldmann.

Mike is survived by his wife of 49 years, Martha Gail Waldmann; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Anne and Neal Laurence of Ann Arbor, MI and Mary and Don Meyer of Roseville, MN; his aunt and Godmother, Dorothy Gruidl of Brooklyn Park, MN; his mother-in-law, Gladys Henson of Abilene, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his six children and spouses, Michael and Susan Waldmann of Andrews, TX, Matthew and Sheree Waldmann of Mansfield, TX, Timothy and Jennifer Waldmann of Keller, TX, Phillip and Amber Waldmann of Lubbock, TX, Bernard (Bernie) and Jennifer Waldmann of Abilene, TX, and Sarah (Waldmann) and Brian Garcia of Abilene, TX. Also, his grandchildren, Jacob Garcia, Kady, Kaitlin, Trevor, Ryan, Karli and Sara Waldmann. Mike was also a foster father to over 28 children who came to live brief periods in his home; and was a father-figure to many young people in his neighborhood and at his church.

Mike was faithful to God, his Family, the Community, and to his work. He was a cancer survivor and overcame many obstacles, having faith in God and with the support of many prayer warriors. The family is grateful for all the love, prayers, and compassion that have been poured out for Mike and his family.

The family wishes to thank his many care givers at University Medical Center in Lubbock and at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, in addition to his home health care nurses and his doctors, Keith Robinson, Noel Chant and Victor Hirsch. They all ministered with compassion to Mike and also to his family.

We will join together to celebrate Mike's life with a Visitation and Prayer Service at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 7th. Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 837 Jeanette, Abilene, TX 79602, at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 8th. Burial will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.

The family invites (in lieu of flowers) memorials be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund for a new Parish Hall. Mike was the first chairman of this project.