Michael Patrick O’Connor, Jr.

Michael Patrick O’Connor, Jr. passed away on January 2, 2022 at the age of 88.  Mike was born in Sharon, PA on October 16, 1933 to parents, Michael Patrick and Evelyn (Huether) O’Connor.  Mike was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mary Jane Franken; second wife, Martha Summers; and third wife, Ethel Folger; sister, Barbara Brooks; and great granddaughter, Grace Merrill.

Mike joined the United States Army and was present for the testing of the hydrogen bomb in the South Pacific.  He was honorably discharged and went on to graduate from Youngstown State University.  He then began a career in sales taking him from Youngstown, OH to Atlanta, GA and eventually Livonia, MI, where he owned a refractory processing company, OCAL.

As their children grew and eventually moved away from Livonia to begin their respective careers and families, Mike and Martha moved to Carmel in 2003 where they joined St. Luke Catholic Church and began an active retirement with grandchildren.

Mike enjoyed golf, a good card game, woodworking and conversation with friends and family. Mike was a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteered his time at St. Vincent de Paul.  Mike never met a person he didn’t like.  He could walk into a room full of strangers and within ten minutes make new friends that would last a lifetime.  He truly enjoyed his family and would share stories of his youth and army exploits with his grandchildren.   Never shy of a good song, he would typically end the evening by singing a favorite song.

Mike is survived by his children: Kevin O’Connor (Donna), Kathleen Ackerman (John), Margaret Keane (Scott), Michele Medzigian, Maureen Whiting (Jeff) and John O’Connor (Lauranne); grandchildren: Allison Sparks (Brandon), Jeff Ackerman (Allison), Erin Scott (Justin), Megan Smith (Andy), Kayla Merrill (John), Sean Keane, Brendan Medzigian (Blair), Connor Medzigian (Lauren), Margaret Medzigian, Colleen Scheele (Ryan), Kelsey Whiting, Elizabeth Whiting, John Whiting, and Amanda Baird (Ryan); 15 great-grandchildren; brothers, David O’Connor and John O’Connor; as well as many other loving extended family members and beloved friends.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the many caregivers at Senior Home Companions and Story Cottage, who cared for Mike during his last years.

A private memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 in the Chapel at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 9001 Haverstick Road, Indianapolis.  Burial will follow services at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Indianapolis. Donations can be made online at www.svdpindy.org  (Please indicate in the memo area that your donation is in memory of Michael O’Connor).