Michael Scott Lightner

Michael Scott Lightner, age 79, of Scottsdale, AZ and hometown of Mishawaka, IN, passed in his sleep after a long battle with Parkinson's on October 27, 2024.

Mike (aka Poppy) is survived by his daughter Kelley Lightner, big brother Terry Lightner, his brilliant grandchildren, Alina Lightner, Connor Marwede, Cameron Castleman, and Annalise Marwede, and his pride and joy, great-granddaughter Aléssia Lightner.

He is also survived by friends he loved like family; Mark Gluth, Ann McKee, Rick Dinkins, Jeff McKew, Deb Voltz-Miller, Frank Nix, Mary Helmeke, and Cubby.

Mike is preceded in death by his loving wife Penny Lightner (Kistler), his beloved daughter Chantel Lightner, adoring parents Eva and Donald Lightner and doting older siblings Joyce Goffney and Don Lightner.

Poppy didn't get around to penning his own obituary as planned (he was an extraordinary storyteller), he was too busy living a jam packed life and only skidded to a stop once he wore out his mortal coil.

During his service in the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command, Mike met Penny, and likely dazzled her with his brilliance and baffled her with... well, our Poppy was a bit of a rogue. At any rate, the wife he was set on having was just as feisty and fun as he and together they loved their girls with all their strength and worked hard to give their children their best during an amazing 50 year marriage.

Mike took his military training to the next level and eventually ended up at Hewlett Packard, leading global projects in emerging technologies. Although his work and volunteering took him to exotic places such as Hong Kong, Sweden, and Africa, Poppy always loved the desert best, where he had met his wife, and upon retirement moved with Penny to Arizona.

Retirement for Poppy meant two things: golf and adventure. Golf sounds sedate, but the "golf" Mike and friends (read: hooligans) engaged in would be better compared to the activity of privateers on the high seas. They made their own rules, and only after teams completed intense tactical and strategic planning (with the aid of many beverages) did they engage in day-long battles of taking treasure and talking smack.

At his core, Poppy was an adventurer. He could find adventure anywhere. He knew all the legends of a place and enraptured his children and grandchildren with wild tales of local history and lost treasure. And if there were friends or family about who could be convinced to partake in a lively adventure, then all the better! Even in his last days, Poppy was convinced he knew the location of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine... and maybe he did.

A celebration of life will be announced. Memorial donations in Mike's name can be made to your favorite watering hole or charity, or better yet, take time to connect with family and friends and regale them with stories of our amazing, beloved, and intrepid adventurer, Mike Lightner.