After a brief illness, Michael A. Shaw, 64, of Junction City, Wisconsin, passed peacefully to eternal life May 3, 2012 at home surrounded by his family and his furry friend, Callie.

Funeral Mass will be Monday, May 7, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Fancher. Visitation will precede the Mass beginning at 9:00 A.M. at the Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in the parish cemetery.

Mike was born May 6, 1947 in Windom, Minnesota. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to a farm near Bertha, Minnesota. Mike attended Maple Leaf country school and graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School.

Prior to graduation, Mike and a friend decided to travel the world. The adventurous duo made it to Kalispell, Montana, before money ran out. Experience growing up on the farm paid off with a job as a ranch hand, driving cattle to market on horseback, fence repair and branding cattle, a real cowboy. After two years of riding horse, Mike realized a diploma was needed to re-enter the modern world.

The Vietnam War was occurring at this time and Mike volunteered for Army duty. By volunteering rather than being drafted, time served was two years rather than three. Basic training was completed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Advanced training took place at Ft. McClellan, Alabama; Mortars 11 Charlie.

Deployment to Vietnam took place December 31, 1967. As a Sergeant E5, Mike earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the National Defense Medal, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and Air Medal (1st Cavalry Division, 25 Combat Missions). His tour of duty ended December 31, 1968.

Returning stateside, Mike married Connie Fosteson in Wadena, Minnesota. They are the parents of Sandy and Shane. The couple later divorced.

Moving to Wisconsin in 1975, Mike worked for Commercial Roofing Co., Plover. He met and married Cynthia Smith; they are the parents of Christopher and Candi. This union ended in 1992. Mike owned Central State Roofing, later worked for Lakes Gas, and then ended his working days with Central Home Improvement, retiring in 2009.

Hobbies included gardening, hunting and fishing. He was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 30 and a member of the VFW.

A memorial in his name will be established at a later date

Mike is survived by son: Christopher (fiancée, Gina) Shaw, Junction City, WI, daughters: Candi (JP) Mills, Milladore, WI, Sandy Shaw, Las Vegas, NV, and son: Shane Shaw, Las Vegas, NV. Brothers: Doug (Sherri), Bertha, MN, Bill (Jean), Bertha, MN, Greg (Pam), Largo, FL. Sisters: Mary (Wayne) Herzog, Plover, WI, Kathy (Scott) Oines, Park Rapids, MN, and Vicki Kapphahn, Hoffman, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents: Lloyd and Clara Shaw, maternal grandparents: Mathias and Anna Greiner, paternal grandparents: Jacob and Lottie Shaw, brothers: Duane, Lawrence and Tommy, sisters: Juanita Quigley, Joan Kay Shaw and nephew: Rich Shaw.

Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home, Stevens Point, is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank Ministry Home Health Care Hospice and especially a heartfelt thank you to Christopher’s friends who came from Colorado and many areas of Wisconsin to assist in crafting Mike’s casket for his final resting place. This labor of love was an incredible selfless display during a very difficult time.