Michael Leroy

Seibert

Michael LeRoy Seibert, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the age of 68.

Born on February 24, 1958, to Clarence "Sonny" Seibert and Eva Mae (Halter) Seibert, Michael grew up in northwest Ohio where he attended Wayne Trace Schools. He grew up in a large family with seven siblings and four step-siblings, surrounded by family connections that would continue to grow throughout his life.

Michael was a man of few words, with a gentle spirit, a patient heart, and a wonderful sense of humor. He didn't need to be the loudest person in the room or command attention to leave an impression. His hazel eyes, unmistakable Seibert smile, and ability to make people laugh made him memorable in his own quiet way. He had a warmth about him that those who knew him will always remember.

Like all of us, Michael was human. He wasn't perfect, and his life wasn't without its struggles. He made mistakes, learned lessons, and grew through the experiences life placed in his path. What mattered was his ability to keep moving forward. Even when life presented difficult hurdles, he found a way to work through them and make it to the other side. He maintained a positive outlook and continued finding reasons to smile and share a laugh. His life reminds us that none of us has to be perfect to be worthy of love, and that strength is often found in the courage to keep going, even when the road isn't easy.

On his 18th birthday, Michael married Rachelle Annette Reno. Together, they began a family and welcomed five children: Michael LeRoy Seibert II, Dorothy Jean, Glenna Rose Etta, Derrick Logan, and Justin Elmer Abraham. Though their marriage eventually ended after nearly 13 years, the family they created remains an enduring part of his legacy. Both Michael and Rachelle later remarried, and although those marriages did not last, the family they began together continued to grow through the generations. Michael's children and grandchildren carry forward pieces of him in ways both big and small, from their talents and sense of humor to the memories and traditions that connect them.

Michael was truly a jack of all trades, with a particular love for welding and auto mechanics. There wasn't much he couldn't fix, and if something was broken, he was usually ready to figure out how to make it work again. In his free time, he could often be found working on cars and motorcycles, surrounded by the tools and projects that brought him happiness. He had a natural ability to work with his hands, a practical mind, and the patience to see a job through. Whether he was repairing an engine, welding something together, or figuring out a solution to a problem, he had a gift for making things work.

His interests extended well beyond the garage. Michael loved all things fishing-related, enjoyed anything automotive, and was an enthusiastic fan of WWE wrestling. Thosevwho knew him also knew that his sense of humor was never far away. He loved telling jokes and making people laugh, and his unforgettable imitation of Macho Man Randy Savage was a talent he could pull out at just about any moment. Whether the timing was expected or completely out of the blue, he knew how to get a laugh. It was one of those unmistakably Michael things that will continue to bring smiles to the faces of those who remember him.

For all his practical talents, Michael also had an artistic side that not everyone knewabout. He was a gifted artist, and his creativity was another gift he passed down to his children. When they were young, his children loved sitting together and playing with the flipbooks he drew, each one bringing a funny little scene to life with every turn of the page. Creating a flipbook takes skill, patience, and imagination, and Michael had all three. Those simple drawings became treasured childhood memories, offering a glimpse into his playful spirit and the thoughtful, creative side of a man who didn't always express himself through words. His artwork was more than a talent; it was a way he shared laughter and left a little piece of himself with his children.

And then there was his cooking. Michael was a wonderful cook who loved putting together generous Sunday breakfast spreads. Food was one of the ways he brought people together, filling the table with good things to eat and creating the kind of moments that families remember long after the dishes are cleared. His famous pan bread was a beloved family tradition, a recipe that carried memories from one generation to the next. It wasn't simply about the bread itself, but about the familiarity, comfort, and connection that came with it. Some family traditions are passed down through photographs or written stories; others are carried forward through recipes, shared meals, and the familiar smells of a kitchen. Michael's pan bread was one of those traditions, and its legacy will live on in the hands of those who continue to make it.

Michael didn't need to be larger than life to leave a lasting impression. He was a gentle soul with a patient heart, a man who showed his talents through the things he could build, repair, create, and share. His humor brought laughter, his cooking brought people together, and his quiet nature reminded those who knew him that love doesn't always need to be expressed through grand words or gestures. Sometimes, it lives in the helping hands, the shared meals, the silly jokes, the unexpected impressions, and the familiar smile that makes someone feel at home.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence "Sonny" Seibert (1996) and Eva Mae Halter (2016); his oldest son, Michael LeRoy Seibert II, who passed away in infancy; his sister, Nancy Fernandez (2020); and his brothers, Mark Seibert (2021) and Melvin Seibert (2022).

He leaves behind his four living children: Dorothy (Robert) Dick, Glenna Seibert, Derrick (Sandy) Seibert, and Justin (Rebekah) Seibert; his nine grandchildren, Nicholas Gamlin, Marquise Seibert, Noah Seibert, Ean Seibert, Logan Seibert, Kaiden Dick, Christian Niese, Owen Niese, and Zariaha Dick; and his four surviving siblings, Cheryl (Ray) Pratt, Eva (Chris) Brown, Ruth (Tim) Couch, and Dawn (Rick) Seabright. He also leaves behind 33 nieces and nephews, countless great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, extended family members, and friends whose lives were touched by his kindness, humor, and gentle spirit.

Though Michael's passing leaves an immeasurable space in the hearts of those who loved him, his memory will live on in the stories told around family tables, the sound of laughter at a familiar joke, the rumble of an engine being repaired, the creativity passed from one generation to the next, every batch of pan bread made in his honor, and in every fishing line cast across the water. And in the unexpected moments when someone remembers his Macho Man impression, they won't be able to help but smile.

His life was not defined by perfection, but by the experiences that shaped him, thenhurdles he overcame, the talents he shared, and the people who will forever carry hisnmemory in their hearts. He leaves behind a legacy built not on grand gestures, but on the everyday moments that become priceless with time.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

Celebration of Life and Interment

Michael's cremains will be interred alongside the mother of his children at Blue Creek Cemetery, 4286 Road 95, Haviland, Ohio, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026. The service will be officiated by Pastor Greg Cramer of Branch Christian Fellowship.

A celebration of life and meal will immediately follow at Branch Christian Fellowship Church, 109 N. Main Street, Paulding, Ohio.

Flowers and donations may be sent to Branch Christian Fellowship Church, 109 N. Main Street, Paulding, Ohio.