Michael “Mike” Orlich died peacefully at home with his family by his side on December 9, 2017 in Highland, Indiana at the age of 82, from esophageal cancer.

Mike is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda Jean (nee Hoppe) Orlich of Highland, Indiana; children, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Michael) Connell of Crown Point, Indiana, Sharon (Randolph) Mills of St. Peters, Missouri, and Michael John (Raewyn) Orlich of Colton, California; grandchildren, Ashley (Timothy) Hildebrandt, Kara Geideman, Natalie (Johnathan) Gorman, Nathan Mills, and Zachary Mills; great grandchildren, Max and Mattie Geideman, Griffin Gorman, and Isla Hildebrandt; brothers Peter Orlich and Nicholas (Evelyn) Laich; and many other family members, neighbors, and friends. He is preceded in death by brothers, Joseph, Samuel, and Marion Laich.

Mike was born on February 1, 1935 in Hammond, Indiana to Peter and Angela Orlich. After graduating from Griffith High School in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. Mike developed an ethic of hard work from the early age of 8, working on local Highland farms to help support his mother.  After suffering a heart attack at the age of 52, he was blessed with 30 years of good health and retired at age 62 from Midwest Steel. During his 20 years of retirement, Mike enjoyed biking “the trail”, taking pride in his yard, and chatting in the evening on the patio with close friends. He loved following his Chicago Bears and Cubs.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday December 13th , 2017 at 11:00 am at WHITE FUNERAL HOME located at 921 W. 45th Avenue Griffith, burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens in Schererville.

Friends may meet with the family on Tuesday December 12th, 2017 from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm at WHITE FUNERAL HOME.

For more information please call 219-924-4100 or visit us at www.whitefuneralhomeofgriffith.com 2

 Service Information