Michael S. "Mike" Hastings

1945 - 2021

Michael S. Hastings (Mike) passed away on December 3, 2021, in Reno, Nevada.
Born in Elgin, Illinois on February 22, 1945, Mike was the third child of Lucille and Arnold Hovet of Elgin, Ill., after his two older siblings (Judy Kathleen, b.1943 and Bonnie Irene, b.1941).

His father, Arnold, was the 4th of 8 children raised by Iva and Frank Hovet, while his mother, Lucille Rose Soroka, was a 1st generation daughter of immigrants who came to America from Poland in 1917. Mike's stepfather, John Hastings, served as a paratrooper in WWII, adopted Mike and was a major influence in his formative years.

Mike grew up to be a basketball hero who led Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High School team in the early '60's scoring 40 points in a final game of the season, with the Gaels winning the State Championship. He went on to the University of St. Louis on a basketball scholarship and upon graduation in 1968 he enlisted with the Army and served in Viet Nam as a radio dispatcher/carrier until 1971 when he returned home and served as Coach and History teacher at his alma mater Bishop Gorman High School.

Mike later joined his stepfather John in sales of decorative Ironworks in Hollister, CA, until he received an opportunity to work in Reno, Nevada under former Governor Bob Miller's Administration, serving as Deputy Chief Investigator under the Consumer Affairs Division, settling down in a home where he remained in close touch with lifelong friends from high school, the University, the Army, and his many contacts and friends in Las Vegas.

Staying close to his family, Mike loved annual reunions and stays in Hollister, CA, where he enjoyed golfing, family and friends. He will be missed greatly by his sister Judy Hooper of Hollister, CA. and her five children, Todd Houser (Kathy), Michelle Wolfe (Tom), Bonnie Webb (Jeff), Lisa Renea Patterson (Will), Mark Houser (Jennifer,) and by his older sister Bonnie Freeman (Fred, and their son Daniel) of Santa Barbara, CA.

Passing before him was his brother John Thomas Hastings (1978); mother Lucille Hastings (2014); step father John Hastings (2002); and father Arnold Hovet (1995).

Several organizations that support veterans: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate/inmemory
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/give