Michael John “Mike” Townsend, 75, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away April 13, 2022, at Newton Medical Center, Newton. He was born April 29, 1946, in Wichita, the son of Wilbur J. and Elfea Schattak Townsend.
He graduated from Wichita East High School, Wichita, with the class of 1964 and attended Wichita State University before proudly serving in the United States Airforce. After returning from the service, Mike graduated from the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado. Mike served in the United States Airforce from November 23, 1966 until November 22, 1972 during the Vietnam War. He was a banker for forty-two years, having served as president of several banks in Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Mike served on the Kansas Banker’s Association Board of Directors and served on various governing boards at various churches. Mike was very active in civic governments and served on the Lyons School Board USD 405. He was also a charter member of the Newton Jaycee’s. Mike enjoyed hunting with his dogs, fishing, woodworking, working in his yard, and flying radio-controlled airplanes.
On June 2, 1985, Mike was united in marriage with Lynne Townsend in Lyons. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his son, Aaron Townsend and fiancé Julie ; six daughters, Debra Diel and husband Ron, Kenneta Zwick, Kendra Liska and husband David, Jayna Morgan and husband Joe, Jill Erickson and husband Scott, and Judy Otto and husband Jeff; two sisters, Carolyn Rutherford and husband Bill, and Madolyn Shields and husband Dr. Bill; twenty-four grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren. Mike is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Monday, April 18, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church, Lyons with Pastor Lara MacGregor and Keith Shank officiating. Burial will follow at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery with military honors by the United States Airforce Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Sunday, April 17, 2022, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons with family present.