Michael “Mike” Thayer, age 58, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 21 after a five month battle with lymphoma.

Mike was born on November 11, 1967 to Les and Arlene Thayer.

He was a proud 1986 graduate of Orchard View High School where he was on the homecoming court, chosen as the outstanding senior male athlete, and scored the first touchdown on their new scoreboard. His lifelong friendships with Brad, Rob, John, Don, Steve, and Howie can be traced back to those days.

Mike is a proud Central Michigan University graduate (Fire Up, Chips!) and was proud that his parents, in-laws, wife, daughters and other family members and friends also attended. Mike attended many CMU athletic home and away events, especially with his extended family, fellow Chip alums, and the Doriot family.

Mike met the love of his life, his wife Lynda at CMU and rekindled their friendship in the halls of Fruitport High School in 1990, where Lynda was teaching and Mike was student teaching. They married in 1992 and welcomed Kelsey in 1994 and Kennedy in 1996.

In 1995, Mike was hired by Merrill Schools as a teacher (then athletic Director and middle school principal) and made many life long friends. He is remembered for his work ethic, his guidance, and awesome ability to throw finger guns and give a thumbs up. Mike then started working at Bay City Western in 2006. He believed that you should “never get a speeding ticket heading to work” and always seemed to know what people needed: tough love, a cookie, or a comedic one-liner. Mike loved his athletic director pals and was active in the Saginaw Valley League. Yet again, Mike made friends who are like family.

Many summers were spent camping, especially with the France family and were often joined by the Goodenoughs and Brosofskis in their boats. Tawas was a favorite vacation spot, as was his hometown of Muskegon, and a certain porch in Ponte Vedra Beach. Mike loved golfing, with the guys or couples as long as he could be out on the green. So many fun memories were created in the golf carts. If you ever asked Mike how he has, he most likely answered with “living the dream!”

Mike retired from BCW in 2023 and found all kinds of fun jobs, such as weeding at the Saginaw Art Museum, security at the Temple Theater, Quality Performance Resource Group, Swan Valley Adult and Alternative Education, plus he served on the Thomas Township board as a trustee then clerk.

Mike became an ordained minister and was honored to perform four weddings: Lisa and Lanny Call, Lisa and Brennan Beechum, Kennedy and Jon Breithaupt, and Kelsey and Jeremy Neal.

Mike decided to take a couple big steps out of the contiguous 48 with cruises to Alaska with Muskegon friends, and a Mediterranean cruise of a lifetime with great friends Chris and Karen France.

Mike was promoted to Grampa (aka ”Gumpers”) with the birth of Jack on September 12, 2025.

Throughout his life, Mike was well known for his sense of humor, kindness, integrity, and loyalty. He loved his family, friends, concerts, sports (especially Lions, Redwings, and Michigan football), a cold beer, his community, giving people nicknames, a round of golf with his buddies, and lots of laughter. One of his favorite quotes can be applied to his life: “It was a good run!” Indeed, it was.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Lynda, his daughters Kelsey (Jeremy) Neal, and Kennedy (Jon) Breithaupt, his grandson Jack Breithaupt, his parents Les and Arlene Thayer, his brother Joe Thayer, his sister Ann (Rob) Crosby, his in-laws Ed and Nancy Brosofski, his sisters in law Laura (Chad) Beebe and Lisa (Lanny) Call, his nieces Beth Galonska and Haley Galonska, his nephews Jake Galonska, Eli Crosby, Jace Crosby, and by many friends who have become family.

Mike’s family would like to extend a huge thanks for all the doctors, nurses, and nursing aides at Covenant, University of Michigan Hospital, and Chelsea Hospital that assisted Mike during this time, and eternal gratitude for all of our family, friends, and supporters whose kindness and love truly brought us comfort during this journey.

A open house celebrating Mike's life will take place from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Swan Valley Golf and Banquet Center, 9521 Highland Green Dr, Saginaw, MI 48609. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor his memory by spending time with your loved ones and maybe sharing stories of Mike.

Please share your condolences and memories with the family at the Celebration of Life or online at www.casefuneralhome.com.