Obituary
Michael “Mick” Lyons
Michael (Mick) Lyons age 70 of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2020 at home in La Crosse. He was born on August 28, 1949 to Clinton J. Lyons and Helen L. Sadnick of Peru, Illinois. He married Kim Johnson on June 16, 1996 of Champaign, Illinois.
Mick served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1968 to 1972 as a Rifle Sharpshooter. He was acting Chair of the Vernon County Vietnam Combat Veterans Support Group and was a 3rd Degree Master Mason with the La Belle Masonic Lodge of Viroqua, Wisconsin. He was held in high regard for his support of those in need. Mick’s favorite pastime was participation as a living history, American fur-trade-era reenactor. He will be greatly missed by his rendezvous family.
He is survived by his wife Kim Lyons, daughter Kohleen Lyons, son Konnor Lyons, and granddaughter Adeline Lyons-Stearns, all of La Crosse; Sister Cathy M. Lyons (Barnhart) and Brother Richard R. Whittington of Oglesby, IL; Brother Clinton (Broom) J. Lyons Jr. of Depue, IL; Brother Cody J. Lyons of Washburn, IL; and Brother Patrick Narog of Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one Sister, Cindy Lyons (Witczak) of Peru, IL.
Masonic and veterans services will be arranged at a later date. There will be no interment.
Kim and family, So sorry to hear of Mick’s passing. Tom and I enjoyed the times we got to spend with you and your rendezvous family. May he Rest In Peace.
I am so sorry to hear of Mick’s passing.
I worked briefly with Mick for a summer when I was a student at Illinois State University. He was an interesting person: tough, abrasive, driving, but kind. Mick taught me to “Work smart, not hard”, and that harassment amongst guys (as an English major, I wasn’t a regular guy’s guy, and Mick treated me like everyone else), meant that you were accepted as part of the group.
As a twenty year-old male, it was great to have mentor of sorts looking out for you and knocking you off your soapbox when you thought you knew everything about the world.
I can still recall the smell of burning antler when Mick would work on his knives in the shop on days we couldn’t work because of rain. Mick called his knife making “therapy” for his PTSD.
I saw a clip of the documentary on Vietnam Vets in Wisconsin back in 2010. I knew Mick was a Vietnam Vet, but it wasn’t until his testimony that I understood (somewhat) what he carried with him.
Though I only knew him for a short time, Mick Lyons was one of those folks that rubbed off on you, and taught you a few useful skills to get through life.
I pray for the LORD’S peace and healing to be with Mick’s family.