Michael Solms

1934 - 2021

Michael Solms, 86, of Gas City, died Wednesday, November 17, 2021 after a brief illness.

Mike was born on his Gas City, Indiana family dairy farm during the depression on December 2, 1934, the fourth of five children born to the late Joseph and Mamie M. (Burns) Solms. He was born with the heart of a farmer, milking cows before going to school. He farmed his entire life, planting his own wheat just a few weeks ago, and had his best corn crop ever this past year. He learned at a young age how to work hard and that work always came before play. Even his hobbies revolved around farming. He loved attending farm auctions, antique tractor shows, and machinery shows. Green was the only color for a tractor, and he was one of the first farmers in Grant County to experiment with no-till farming.

He retired from Fisher Body on January 1, 1988, where he had worked for 28 years in the design department. After retirement from Fisher Body, he worked for nearly 10 years at Barage Auto Pool. He graduated from St. Paul's in 1952 and served in the Army from 1957-1959 where he was stationed in Korea. He faithfully attended Pioneer Faith Church for more than 35 years. His faith in the Lord never wavered, always a faithful prayer warrior for his family and friends. He was a member of the NRA and the 2nd Amendment.

He is survived by his wife and soul mate Betty (Smith). They were married on April 5, 2003. Seven children: Joe (Bobbie) Solms, Kathi Solms, Michael (Mary Jane) Solms, Stefanie (Rusty Whitton) Ratliff, all of Fairmount and Danny (Layla) Solms, Huntington. 11 Grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren: Aaron (Shelly) Solms and their children Brant, Brody, and Cole. Jeff (Karie) Solms and their children Lillie and Lila, David (Katy) Haisley and their daughters, Cadence and Landyn, Sarah (Brandon) Conner, and their daughter Harper, Eric and Colin Solms, Tyler, Birdie, and Zoie Ratliff and Jacob and Chloe Solms; two bonus children and five bonus great-grandchildren, Jame (Laura) Upshaw, SC and their children Alex and Arie and Megan, Joy (Craig) Sloan, of Austin, TX and their children Cassie and Kaleb, and Kim Wolownik and her children Tyler, Sean, and Emma of Paw Paw, Michigan; by a brother Joe Solms of Colorado Springs and a sister Eleanor (Dave) Fyffe of Greenwood, Indiana and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana where visitation will be Sunday, November 21, 2021, from 2-6 PM with the funeral service celebrating Mike's life at 6 PM with Dr. Tom Mansbarger, Pastor Dean Terrell and Chaplain Bill Sparks officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Marion National Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by a brother Edward Solms and a sister Mary Scheiber, step-son Jason Pursley and daughter-in-law Megan Upshaw.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship of Christian Farmers International or the Salvation Army in care of the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www. armeshuntfuneralhome.com