Mr. Michael Spencer Eggleton of Blackfalds, Alberta sadly left us on Sunday, October 29, 2023, when his heart was just too full of love to keep going. Mike, as most family and friends knew him as, or even more affectionately as Mikey by some, was born on February 29, 1972, at the Calgary Foothills Hospital, which being a leap year baby only made him 12 years old if you asked Mike. This may be why some thought he was not old enough to hold his own passport, or drive the boat, or why sometimes his family was left playing “where’s Mike” when he wandered off, only to be spotted in his trusty t-shirt and ball cap. Mike started his life’s journey as a son to William and Alida Eggleton in Calgary, but then moved as a family to the Barrhead area, and grew roots at Camp Creek, Alberta. Although Mike, and his future wife, Mary Dawn went to High School together, they were like ships passing in the night, and their love was not yet meant to be. After High School, Mike joined the Military, and after completing basic training, he was set on the course of meeting Mary Dawn out and about socially, through friends. After fate did its thing, they were married in 1998, and celebrated twenty-five years of marriage this past year. This meant twenty-five years of devotion, and of Mike always being up for whatever came after “Honey, I have an idea”. Mike continued to serve in the military for the start of their marriage, totaling nine years of service for our country. He served in the RCEME 411 1 Service Battalion, and did a tour in Bosnia. During this time, and after his military career, Mike and Mary Dawn’s family also started to grow, with their little Eggy’s joining the family. This included Amanda, Michaela, Saralynn, and Spencer. Four children were meant to be, as during premarital counseling, when asked how many children they wanted, Mary Dawn said “two” and Mike said “six”. Mike was a proud dad from day one, and never stopped showing his unconditional love to his kids and family, which brought the end to his military career, so that he could be with them for all the holidays, Christmas concerts, and everything in between, it is said that Mike really liked the holidays. After leaving the military, he started a new journey by getting his license as a Blue Seal Heavy Duty Mechanic. Although he enjoyed, and was good at his career, he loved, and was even better, at being a dad. Being a dad to Mike was more than having his standby dad jokes in his pocket, (he had some good trusty ones about cemeteries, and step ladders) but about being present, reliable and pouring all his love into his kids. To him, this meant answering every question, (although usually, the answer was seven) being level-headed when needed, building a strong foundation, so his kids had the skills they needed to make it out in the world, and showing them how they should always be treated, and what a strong, loving dad looks like. It was also in his way that he was there for every sport his children tried – from coaching T-ball to sharing advice (even if sometimes unsolicited) and cooking up hamburgers during horse riding competitions, to being track-side ready for quick bike fixes and first aid; which sometimes led to a tumble of his own, but it never stopped him from delivering the first aid despite his cuts. He also had a way of knowing when they needed a little tough love to keep going, and to get back up. Mike’s coaching, encouragement, and helping did not stop at his kids, but all the kids around too. If Mike’s kids needed something, he was always ready with a “let’s do it” though he would put up a bit of a fight when it came to bringing a new dog in the house, whether it was a foster, or a lifelong friend, but it always ended with a yes, and with Mike being the first person to fall in love with the new pup, and going out of his way to fix a fence, so they could stay. Mike’s loyalty did not end with his family, but also in his support of Manitoba sports teams, especially the Blue Bombers. Perhaps he was channeling his parent’s roots. Mike also loved to have fun with his family. This included game nights that sometimes included games with unflattering pictures. Geocaching though, with his sense of direction, he was always looking at least ten feet away in the other direction. Then, with building Lego, which led to him taking over and then needing his own sets, sharing laughs even if they were at his own expense; or because of a wet willy while driving, going on adventures together, gaming together or just going on dump runs. Quite often, he would also turn these dump runs into one of his hobbies of building bikes, but mostly just taking them apart and then building the odd one when needed, like he did for his nephew. Mike’s willingness to help out did not end with his immediate family, or the kids at sports. It went beyond, whether always being up for whatever project his father-in-law needed help with, which would lead to him having to go along with the “we’ll be in for supper in ten more minutes,” or dropping everything to help a buddy out, or to take a call from his kids, sister-in-law and others, about vehicle problems, or what kind of coolant they should get. At times, he should have just answered “AMA, how can I help you,” but that was the kind of guy Mike was. He was the one who would do anything for anybody, including giving away the family’s road snacks, or having an hour-long conversation over a McDonald’s meal, which included job advice to those who really needed it. Mike’s nonconfrontational attitude made him easy to get along with, especially since he knew when it was best to walk away, most of the time, at least. There was a “rumored” situation involving a police car. Although Mike sometimes would forget where his cell phone was, or what project he was supposed to be working on, he never forgot how much he loved his family. He would always keep the needed fun secrets, even if Mary Dawn let them slip, and he would always have a quick spontaneous idea to celebrate forgotten birthdays or celebrations. Besides his loving immediate family, Mike will be lovingly remembered by his siblings, William and his wife, Sue, Patrick Eggleton and Colleen Feduniak (nee Eggleton), his nieces and nephews, Dawn, Josh, and Kadyn Eggleton, Willow Feduniak and Raiden Seiyama, his mother-in-law, Marrilee Stephenson and his sister and brother-in-law, Jamie and Masaru Seiyama, along with numerous extended family and friends. Mike was welcomed by his mother and father, William and Alida Eggleton, and his father-in-law, Donald Stephenson. Our hearts are broken that he will not get a chance to buy Mary Dawn the Mustang he always wanted to get her, or to sell everything and buy an RV, and two Spyder bikes, so they could continue their journey throughout the world together in retirement. Arte Et Marte. Those who lived, laughed and loved with Mike were welcomed to share stories, and remember together at the Eagle Builders Centre, 5302 Broadway Avenue, Blackfalds, Alberta on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, if desired, Memorial Donations in Mike’s honor may be made directly to Can Praxis. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006

• Date : 2023-11-19
• Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com