J. Michael Cauley

Mike Cauley lived his life to better those around him. He did this by teaching and coaching with basic principles such as instilling hard work and respect into everyone around him. On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Mike passed peacefully at home in the presence of those nearest and dearest to him following complications of Covid vaccinations resulting in long-haul Covid.

Mike was born November 27, 1954 in Columbus but grew up in Woodstock on the family farm. His parents, John J. and Anna R. (Lanigan) Cauley taught him and his siblings the meaning of hard work as they all did chores in operating the 1000-acre farm. While in school, Mike had a passion for playing sports and excelled on the football field. His training to get better was second to none and because of his determination, he became quite a force on the defensive side of the ball. After graduating from Triad High School, he enrolled at Ohio Northern University where he studied Industrial Arts Education; played on the Polar Bear football team for four years and was a three-year letterman; and was a two-year letterman in track and field as a discus thrower. Mike graduated with his BA degree in the spring of 1977 and that same year was hired into Col. Crawford Schools, where he taught Industrial Arts until retiring in 2022. In the beginning of his career, he enjoyed refereeing and coaching junior high basketball. However, his greatest impact through sports came with coaching high school football at Colonel Crawford, Bucyrus, and Willard High Schools. Additionally, he served as a coach for track and field at Colonel Crawford.

Mike was all about family. He unfortunately lost two infant daughters in the early 1980's.  In 1989 he was introduced to Melinda M. Crall and following a lengthy courtship, they married on February 13, 1999. They took adventurous fun vacations and day trips over the years, watched a lot of movies together and even though Mike was busy with coaching and teaching, he was always present when they were involved in sports and other activities.

Mike was raised Catholic but in more recent years, attended Good Hope Lutheran Church. He was a member of Ohio Northern Chapter of the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity during his college years, National Education Association, and served as treasurer for the NCC for several years.

Mike’s days began about 5 am with him swimming laps in the CCHS pool, followed by teaching and coaching. He then often ended up back in the classroom, as he never said “no” to a student who needed to finish a project or a teacher that needed something completed. He was a very dependable person, but he did function on “Cauley time”, meaning he was occasionally late, and he didn’t move the quickest. But nonetheless, projects were always completed. He wasn’t much into hobbies; he simply enjoyed time spent with family and seeing the students who walked through his classroom doors succeed and be happy.

Mike will be deeply missed by wife, Melinda; daughters, Amanda Crall and Brittany Crall; sisters, Rosemary Cauley and Kathleen Cauley; ten nephews, three nieces, brother and sisters-in-law, Michael Crall, Melodie Reed, Marla (Mark) Scheffler and Melissa (Bart) Christman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna Cauley; infant daughters, Katie and Kristina Cauley; brothers, Edward Cauley and John Cauley and his father and mother-in-law, Donald and Marlene (Hinaman) Crall.

Mike’s family will receive friends from 3 – 7 pm Sunday, September 17 at Good Hope Lutheran Church, where his funeral will be held at 11:00 am Monday with Pastor Mark Schuring officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. For those unable to attend his funeral, a live webcast will be viewable on the church’s Facebook page at Good Hope Lutheran Church Bucyrus, OH.

If desired, donations can be made payable to Col. Crawford Athletic Boosters or to Avita Hospice and these gifts will be accepted through the church on days of services or through the Wise Funeral Service. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his Guestbook page.