Michael LeVon Stout
May 14, 1944 ~ February 4, 2020
Born in:
South Bend, IN
Resided in:
Fletcher, NC
Michael LeVon Stout, age 75 of Fletcher, NC passed away on Tuesday, February 4th 2020, from this life and is now in the presence of our Lord. He finished his fight with cancer peacefully in the afternoon surrounded by family.
Deacon Mike, as he was better known by many, was born in South Bend, IN on May 14, 1944 to the late Elmer and Mary Loma (Hannah) Stout. At the tender age of 9, he lost his Mom also to cancer and then a few years later his Dad remarried, the former Nina Engel. Mike was a graduate of Central High School in South Bend, IN and met the love of his life, Cathie, they were married in August 1965. He continued his education at Purdue University and majored in Mechanical Engineering – Technology. Later, he went on to pursue a degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University – New Orleans.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ron and his brother-in-law, Kenny Cole. Mike is survived by his loving wife, of 54 years, Cathie; daughter, Mary Swanson; son, Darren (Heather); grandchildren Jilian, Katie & Trey; sisters Barb (Marcel) Landuit, and Christine Cole; sisters-in-law, Joyce Schrader and Pat Luczynski; brother-in-law, Norman Michaels, along with many other relatives including aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Mike began his career working at Bendix in South Bend, moved on to Wheelabrator Frye in Mishawaka and then transferred to Arden, NC in June 1983 to work at Balcrank Products. While raising his family in the mountains of Western NC, he discovered a new passion for trout fishing, and anything associated with being outside. He enjoyed his plants, gardening and helping others with anything they needed. Mike never met a stranger, always sharing a smile and a laugh that lit up any room. Mike felt a calling to greater serve the Catholic Church and pursued his studies to become a Deacon. He was ordained as a Deacon on June 10, 2006 and has served at St. Barnabas Catholic Church since. His many areas of service included presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals. Other areas of outreach included prison ministry, visiting the sick and mentoring other Deaconate candidates, along with countless other tasks.
Deacon Mike’s family will receive friends on Friday, February 7th at Groce Funeral Home – Lake Julian. There will be a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00PM with a rosary at 7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 8th at 10:30AM at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, by the Very Reverend Adrian Porras.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Barnabas Catholic Church, PO Box 39, Arden, NC 28704 or Bridge Foundation (formerly CarePartners Hospice), PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 in Mike’s name.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Services
Visitation: February 7, 2020 6:00 pm - April 26, 2025 8:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Rosary: February 7, 2020 7:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Funeral Mass: February 8, 2020 10:30 am
St Barnabas Catholic Church
109 Crescent Hill Drive
Arden, NC 28704
828-252-3535
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Thank you, Deacon Mike and Cathie, for your mentoring and your friendship. You both are beacons of being Christ to all we encounter.
Cathy & family. My deepest sympathy. I will always remember Mike’s warm smile. My heart is broken. God Bless you and your family.
Kathy & Al Jerva
Our thoughts and prayers are with Deacon Mike and Cathie. We will miss Mike’s bright smile and his kindness. We are so ever thankful for him sponsoring Bob in RICA. May the Blessed Mother be holding him under her mantle. Rest in Peace dear Mike.
So sorry, Cathie, my prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Cathie and family…We are so saddened to hear of Mike’s passing…good friends for so many years,even though living far apart. Terry and Jim will be able to be there to say goodbye and give you a warm hug. My prayers and loving thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. We know that Mike is now with his creator, as we all will be one day. God be with you and your family.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Mr. Stout was not only a great person, but a great teacher. I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance while working at Balcrank Industries. He trained and mentored me until his retirement and I will be forever great full for the experience. I take comfort in knowing that Mr. Stout is in the presence of our heavenly father. May God bless and keep you in this time or sorrow.
Very sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I loved working with him at Balcrank. I can still hear his laugh! God bless you all.
I was so sorry to hear about Mike. I have always had wonderful memories of you and Mike for over 50 years. I’m so glad we kept in touch, and will always remember staying with you for a couple of days, taking a hike in the mountain and eating dinner at the top. Our prayers are with you.
Mike will be missed
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Stout family. We’ve always felt Deacon Mike was a warm and welcoming spirit adding to our Catholic faith surrounding the St. Barnabas parish community. Prayers to stay strong in this sad time.
Cathie, my dear friend – my heart is at peace knowing full well Mike is in the arms of Jesus as I write this. So why can I not stop weeping when I think of him not here on earth, doing all the many things that he did so, so well. I’m up here in PA with my folks now, so I won’t see you. My prayers will follow you, you dear sweet soul. Be happy, Cath. And remember why.
Ruth and I were so sorry to learn today of Deacon Mike’s passing. When we were new Catholics, and had just become members of St. Barnabas, he was most kind and welcoming. Please be assured of our condolences and prayers for him and for all of his family. Requiescat in pace.
With our deepest sympathy on your loss
Deacon Mike was such a witness to the joy and love of Christ! He was always smiling and cheerful! So sorry to hear of your loss! Praying for you and for Mike!
My deepest sympathies.
With love and sympathy to Cathy and family
Bill and Shirley Lilly
Cathie and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn the loss of such a great man. It was always a pleasure to chat with Mike when he came to South Bend to visit Pat.
God Bless,
Brandon Murphy And Family
South Bend, IN
Neighbor to Pat
To my brother-in-law Mike Stout,
I had the privilege of knowing Mike since he started dating my sister, Cathie. I also had the privilege of giving my sister away at their wedding since my father died in 1962. They were married in 1965. Through the years, at every occasion, Mike always remained the same. Very pleasant, polite, well mannered and had a warm smile. He was always the same. He acted like a big brother to his brother and sisters. He had charisma that ability required for leadership. Because our birthdays were two days apart, we would all celebrate together; Mike, Cathie, Barbie and myself.
Mike is now in heaven with our Lord and Savior. We will all miss him dearly here on earth until we all meet again in heaven.
Rest In Peace,
Norman Michaels
Mrs. Stout, Mary & Darren – you all are in my prayers for peace and strength during this difficult time. Growing up in St. Barnabas, I can’t imagine not seeing Mr. Stout’s warm and smiling face there any longer. He was a wonderful, kind, caring person and will be missed by so many!!!