Michael M. Nejedly

Mike Nejedly, age 81, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, February 17, 2020. He was born November 5, 1938 in Chicago, IL to Michael and Mildred (Hostak) Nejedly. Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years, Billie Nejedly (nee Herdrich); his children Leslie (Bill) Black; Derek (Terra) Nejedly; Tracy (Jeremy) Thompson; Ronald (Blair) Bonesz;. Jami (John) Nejedly. Grandchildren Bret (Katie) Steckervetz; Jessica (Brian) Johnson; Dakota (Tim) Black; Devon Nejedly; Rochelle (Brian) Kandefer; Catalina Ann; Melanie Bonesz; Logan Bonesz; Amanda (Seth) Wolcott and Jack Theillon. Seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father, Michael; his mother, Mildred and his brother Leslie (Wanitta) Nejedly. He attended school in Chicago; Gary Elementary School and graduated from Farragut High School in 1956. Mike loved being with his high school classmates, trading stories of their lives and the shenanigans pulled during high school. He and his wife hosted several small high school reunions in their home in Mesa. As a young boy/man he was active in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout in 1955. He was a woodworking instructor for 4-H in the early 1980’s. Mike was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1957 to 1963; serving for several of those years as a Crew Chief with Presidential Helicopters, HMX-1 stationed in Quantico, VA. Several of his childhood friends were in Scouts and then joined the Marine Corp after he did – they are all still friends to this day! He was involved with the PLAV Post 188 veteran organization for many years, serving as treasurer for five years. He was a general contractor and carpenter by trade. He was proprietor of MB Building & Handyman Services in McHenry, IL until 1992 when he became Building Inspector for the City of Lakemoor. In 1997 he retired to Mesa, AZ; where he enjoyed golfing and working in the yard. He also volunteered as a helper for special needs kids at the Apache Junction High School and became one of the Leaders for their Special Olympics Bowling and Basketball teams. Mike loved spending time with family and friends and so very much enjoyed his cigars on the patio. The patio in the Arizona sunshine was his most favorite place to be. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Marine’s Toys for Tots in Mike’s name. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 18251 Quantico Gateway Dr., Triangle, VA 22172 or follow the link: https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/forms/simple/Default.aspx
Services will be held on Saturday, March 7th at 1:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 612 S. Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, AZ 85208. Followed by an Open House (luncheon) at the home of Mike and Billie, 9558 E. Jerome Ave., Mesa, AZ 85209.