Michael "Mike" Franklin Claypool
July 5, 1940 ~ August 26, 2023
Michael “Mike” Franklin Claypool was born July 5, 1940, in Lancaster, Ohio, to Reba and Ellsworth Claypool and passed from this world on August 26, 2023. When the veil was at its thinnest, he slipped through peacefully in his sleep.Mike was raised in Lancaster and was a three-sport star at Lancaster High School, graduating in 1958. He lettered in football as a tight end, in baseball as a 1st baseman, and in track. His parents were in poor health, and after graduation, he went to work at Anchor Hocking to help support the family.In 1961, he married Carolyn Powers, and they had two children, Michael and Lisa. Their marriage ended in 1982.Mike continued on his path with Anchor Hocking, and in 1969 he became a Sales Rep and was transferred to Kansas City in 1970. One of his crowning achievements with Anchor was the Rival Crock Pot lid. In 1972, he met with Rival, and they asked him to have a lid designed for their new Crock Pot. In 1973, he sold Rival two million Crock Pot lids. To commemorate his achievement, he bought a brand new 1973 Gold Cadillac Coupe De'Ville. Mike was an avid bowler. In the last 30 years, it was common for him to bowl in four different leagues every week. He was also a gun collector who liked working on them and taking them to the range. And, of course, he was a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. He held season tickets for 25 years and hosted some of the greatest tailgate parties ever seen at Arrowhead Stadium. Mike was very active in his church for many years. During those years, he had served as an Elder and a Bible Study Leader at Trinity Lutheran Church of Wichita.In his later years, he became a quilter. Mike made quilts for anyone who wanted one. He also donated quilts to Fairmount Ministries’ The Gathering to help raise money for the facility where WSU students meet, eat, and study.Mike never met a stranger. He was kind and affable, and people were drawn to his easy manner. He always had a kind word and a funny (sometimes bawdy) story to tell. He was loved by many, and if he was your friend, he would do anything for you. He helped so many folks move over the years, he and whoever he wrangled to help became known as The Pork and Beans Brother Moving Company. On the Claypool Coat of Arms, there is an inscription in Latin, “Nil Desperandum” - Never Despair. He lived his life by this code and, in his own words, gave it a bit more emphasis: "Never Let Them Get You Down."He loved his family and wanted nothing more than to have everyone together in the same place, sitting around the table, telling old stories, and laughing until everyone's sides split. He would beam with pride at the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and spoil everyone rotten with gifts on Christmas and birthdays. In 1992, he met Linda Cortese, and his world changed. They were inseparable for 31 years and married 22 of them. She was the love of his life. They traveled and explored and lived their life together, full of love and respect. They put a lot of good into the world and asked for nothing in return. They lived in Wichita, Kansas, with their red poodles until his passing. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Reba and Ellsworth Claypool, and his sister, Linda Saltz.He is survived by his wife, Linda Claypool; son, Michael Powers and his wife, Lynn; daughter, Lisa Cobb and her husband, Chris; and daughter, Michelle Cortese and her wife, Jenny Wright.Mike also leaves behind granddaughter, K.C. Jones, her husband Jason, and their children Desmond and Bear; granddaughter, Samantha Temple, her husband Luke, and their son Simon; and granddaughter, Lila Cobb. Mike will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church.Memorials have been established with: Trinity Lutheran Church, 611 S. Erie St. Wichita, KS 67211; Special Olympics Kansas, 5280 Foxridge Dr., Mission, KS 66202.Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Mike was an integral part of our sewing family. His creativity and vision for quilt making was extraordinary. He could see things we couldn’t and was spot on with his combinations. He will always be the “big brother” to the “Sewing Sisters”.
Shelly Blasi