Louis “Mike” Vasas

Louis Michael Vasas 

November 24, 1950 - October 21, 2026 

Dearborn, Michigan

God called Mike to his eternal home in heaven on October 21, 2026, at the age of 75. He is survived by wife Sharon (née Schley), daughter Jennifer (Dennis) Kim, son Michael (Amanda) Vasas and seven grandchildren: Ava, Natalie, Brady, August, Hazel, Wynn and soon-to-be-born, Lily. He is also survived by his sister Barbara (Jerry) Houser, sister-in-law Jane Schley, brother-in-law Terry (Jackie) Schley, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Irene (née Kendy) Vasas, William and Alma (née Neumann) Schley and brother-in-law William Schley Jr.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Mike was baptized into Christ on April 8, 1951, at the Hungarian Reformed Church in Detroit. He was raised and confirmed at Good Shepherd (EUB) in Dearborn, Michigan and was later confirmed in the Lutheran faith on May 28,1972 at Paul the Apostle in Detroit.

A graduate of Edsel Ford High School and recipient of a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Western Michigan University, Mike was also accepted into the Ph.D. program at WMU in 1973. He was deeply committed to Sharon, his high school sweetheart, to whom he was married for 53 years.

Mike was renowned for his humor, his gift of gab and a passion for Detroit sports, particularly the Detroit Red Wings. He was an avid music listener. Mike often struck up unsolicited conversations with neighbors, coworkers, church members and strangers; he loved to connect with people and make them laugh.

Rather than goodness or personal achievement, Mike would say it was God’s grace that created faith to live out his vocations, including 30 years with Ford Motor Company and 40 years serving on the Boards of Elders and Evangelism at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dearborn. Mike’s chief vocations, however, were husband, father and grandfather. He was a supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s interests in the arts, academics and sports. Mike and Sharon raised children in the faith that has now been passed on to their grandchildren; a faith rooted not in self but in Christ. Baptisms, confirmations, funerals or church meetings: he wanted to be there.

When Mike had the gift of better health, faith in God’s grace created a life in service to others, but the effects of Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia, and Multiple Myeloma took their toll and Mike became exclusively a receiver. He was called not to give but to receive God’s gifts through the care of his wife, family and caregivers. His life is a living testament to how we all receive God’s gifts, including the gift of faith itself. When that day comes for us, like it has for Mike, we can rely on that blessed promise: the gift of everlasting life through faith in the crucified and resurrected Jesus. To God be the glory! Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Dearborn Location of the Howe Peterson Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 28th from 2:00pm to 8:00pm at 22546 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI. Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, October 29th at 11:00am at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Dearborn, MI. Gathering from 10:00am. Burial will follow at Glen Eden Cemetery in Livonia, MI.