My husband, Barry Schenkelberg, spent many Wednesday mornings with Michael and the submarine group at Scott's. Barry truly thought the world of him and was honoured to call him a friend. I am sure both of them are already talking about their escapades on submarines in Heaven!! Michael is now on Eternal Patrol.......... Alison B. Schenkelberg

ALISON SCHENKELBERG
March 5, 2018

I have lots of memories of helping with scuba classes at Washington High School and at the Fairfax Quarry. I remember Mike and Nancy coming to dinner at our house after a diving accident at the Central City Dam. I'm sad that we'll be out of town for the services, but will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Steve and Ann Godar
March 6, 2018

To Mike's family, Thank you for this wonderful Man, and his wife Molly. They were wonderful people to visit with in the confines of First Congregational Church and via e-mails and phone calls. I enjoyed every time I I got to exchange scuttlebutt with that old swab, and feisty Molly. Myself being a former Marine. I'm glad our paths crossed. Harvey Hop

:Harvey Hop
March 6, 2018

I'm so sorry for your loss; what an amazing man he was! My husband and I took a SCUBA class from him and we can thank him for wonderful memories and the introduction to an amazing world underwater. I was panic'd about a full mask over my nose, and he was so helpful. How lucky we all were to have a chance to share time with him.

Dot Hinman
March 6, 2018

I took lessons from "Mike". -Not only scuba lessons , but life lessons as well. He was the kind of man that ( I think) told it like it was, and was ( to me) a war hero. I could never get enough of his stories that he told about his time diving in the Korean War. The sh*t that he went through-I can't even fathom. I admired him, and had the upmost respect for him. My hope for you, his family, is that the love of Jesus will ease your sorrow. -God bless...

Jeff VanDerMillen
March 6, 2018

Like my dear friend Barry I shared many wednesday mornings talking diving and submarines and submariners. Through the USSVI (SubVets) Mike became a good friend and a valuable source of information. He will be missed. Farewell and following seas shipmate. Thanks for letting me know you.

Ken Lowen CWO4 USN (ret)
March 6, 2018

To Paul, Janelle, Ian, Josh & Stephen. You are in our thoughts and prayers and we are so sorry for your loss. You will cherish all the good times and memories. May God Bless and comfort you..

Kay & Don Sheehan
March 6, 2018

I am one of the many people that Mike connected with through scuba diving lessons. Mike taught my brother and I to scuba dive in the early / mid 1990's; Mike was a great instructor and peppered his lessons with enough stories to keep everyone engaged. Mike found it funny that one brother floated while the other sank. I was glad to have had the chance to meet Mike and to learn scuba diving from him. Rest in Peace.

Steve Woodward
March 6, 2018

Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Seems like ever since Molly's passing, your dad has been going downhill, spending more time in the hospital than at home. He was a great father in law and he will be greatly missed. I will remember the good times on the many cruises that we took and the good times that we had together. Sorry, I will not be there for the service. Because of the lateness of the obituary, I could not get approval to get the time off from work. Even though I am still working he will be in my payers and thoughts on Saturday. Even though your mom and dad are gone, they will still be included in any future powerball winnings. May they rest in peace with no more pain.

Alan Boots
March 7, 2018

My sympathies to Mike's family and friends. I took scuba diving training from Mike many years ago, and it was such a memorable experience for me - he was patient and his stories were mesmerizing. He will be missed by many.

Lori Madrick
March 8, 2018

Dear Dave and Family, Linda and I send you our most sincere sympathy and condolences. We are very sorry to learn of the passing of your father. We send our best wishes at this very difficult time for you and your family. Sincerely, Wayne and Linda Martin CRCC

wayne martin
March 8, 2018

I am one of the many people that Mike connected with through scuba diving lessons. Mike taught my brother and I to scuba dive in the early / mid 1990's; Mike was a great instructor and peppered his lessons with enough stories to keep everyone engaged. Mike found it funny that one brother floated while the other sank. I was glad to have had the chance to meet Mike and to learn scuba diving from him. Rest in Peace.

Steve Woodward
March 8, 2018

It was in the late 1960s when a tadpole (me) elected to take Mike Ster's beginning SCUBA course. Before you could even BEGIN the course, Mike required you to tread water x 10 minutes and swim one mile. At the time, this tadpole could only do the side stroke. Mike "vigorously" encouraged this tadpole to "CRAWL!" you blankety blank. I was the last student to finish my mile that night. To graduate his SCUBA class, all your gear was at the bottom of a 17ft deep end. You put on your gear, then listed on a mylar slate all the underwater illnesses that could affect, their symptoms and their treatment. While you were writing on this slate, your air was being shut off, face mask taken off and more. If you surfaced because you could not handle these underwater "emergencies", you did not pass his course. This tadpole though terrified of the graduation exercise before it began, once "immersed" in the exercise handled all underwater "emergencies" and graduated. His rigorous beginning SCUBA was all about safety, competency and instillation of good "underwater judgment". Mike, this tadpole wishes you only blue skies and following seas in Heaven. God bless you, Mike. Anthony P.S. In his written obituary in the Gazette, it mentioned his deep dive to set charges on a sunken USN vessel to prevent its secrets from being salvaged by the enemy. Mike and his UDT brothers had two minutes (no decompression needed this way) on the vessel to set collective, short-timed charges, then make emergency ascents to the surface. If any UDT brother had been delayed, he would have perished when the charges ignited. Huevos grande, Mike...Huevos grandes!

Anthony Merulla
March 8, 2018

Mike was a great man and I always enjoyed visiting with him during coffee hour following church service. He had many interesting stories to tell. He was so appreciated of anything you would do for him after he started using his walker. I will miss seeing his smiling face at church.

Jeanne Hepker
March 10, 2018

My condolence is listed below.

Jeanne Hepker
March 10, 2018

I just learned of Mike's passing..if it wasnt for Mike I wouldnt have my uncles...mike helped my grandparents adopt twice in the 1980s...

ashley rainville
November 8, 2019

Just learned of his passing. Fair winds and following seas, Mike. God bless. Thank you for letting me know not to trust a diver in lime green, never dive with anyone who's ever run out of air, and that it ain't no damn fashion show. Thank you for teaching scuba skills that PADI (Put Another Dollar In) frowned on, but that you knew were important for us to know. Saved me from a potential injury. Heard your voice in my head. "Solve your problems on the bottom." A great man to his community, and a good friend.

DAVID RUMNEY
December 22, 2020

Remembering the life of Mike Ster, SCUBA instructor for a class in 1975/77 at Cornell College. I learned from him, bought equipment, and launched into several enjoyable diving years. I'm just learning of Mike's passing. He is well remembered. Grace and peace to the family.

Scott Dickson
November 21, 2021