Mike Horton Obituary, Death – Mike, a 1937 alumnus of Johnston High School and the son of Beaverdale residents William and Marie Horton, was born on March 11th. On April 5, 1958, he wed Beverly Jean Schuessler, a day he considered to be the most significant of his life. He and his wife, Beverly, relocated to Altoona in 1963 and spent the remainder of their life thereafter obtaining their master’s degrees from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) and working as teachers in Mason City, respectively.
Before he formally retired in 1999, Mike worked as a teacher for Southeast Polk Schools for 36 years. He started the Iowa Industrial Arts Exposition, an annual event that showcases students from all over the state who have produced outstanding work in the trades, while he was still a student at Southeast Polk. In addition, he was Southeast Polk’s head girls’ golf coach and coached a variety of other sports. He enjoyed substitute teaching and continuing to contact with students and staff after retiring from full-time teaching. He devoted his time to writing local sports news coverage for the Altoona Herald while working as a teacher and coach. His enthusiasm for athletics and eagerness to celebrate students’ accomplishments were never more apparent than in his upbeat coverage of the high school sports in the area.
Mike loved sports and played competitive golf. He and his wife Beverly participated in golf competitions as a team and had a lot of success doing so. Mike put a lot of effort into the game and was a superb individual golfer. He repeatedly won club championships at Terrace Hills and Toad Valley, and at one point he owned the scoring records for both courses. Mike and Bev have devoted Southeast Polk supporters who were active in the Southeast Polk Athletic Booster Club and the Southeast Polk Music Boosters.
In 2010, Mike and Bev received the honor of being inducted into the Southeast Polk Hall of Honor, which they both cherished. Mike was also inducted into the Johnston High School Hall of Fame and recognized as a distinguished graduate by his high school alma mater.
His approachable nature and sincere concern for the happiness and well-being of others won the hearts of Southeast Polk students, staff, and community members. Those who knew him enjoyed and laughed at his sense of humor and quick wit. These characteristics best described who he was as a person. He was admired and loved by others for these reasons, which is why his loved ones and closest friends are already missing him.
His parents and his wife Beverly predeceased him. His sons William (Melissa) and Joseph, as well as his daughter Marty Mark (Steve), are still alive (Stacie). He is also survived by his nine great-grandchildren, Blake, Noah, Jace, Alexis, Wyatt, Harison, Ellis, Easton, and Sutton, as well as his grandchildren Gina, Sara, Alex, Kennedy, Elijah, Davis, Cole, and Jackson.
The funeral ceremony for 85-year-old Michael William Horton will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona on November 17 at 1:00 p.m. Before the funeral, there will be visitation at LCC from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
