John Michael "Mike" Todd

John "Mike" Michael Todd, age 65, of South Milford and Pretty Lake, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Parkview Regional Hospital after suffering cardiac arrest.

Mike was born on January 22, 1961, in Kendallville, IN, and was the proud son of Mary Elizabeth Owens-whom he lovingly called "my mama"-and John Whitford Todd, who preceded him in death just five months ago.

In 1980, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Robin, whom he affectionately called "Fancy." Mike and Fancy navigated the highs and lows of life together for over four decades. Through every hardship, Mike kept Robin laughing. Robin never had to wonder if she could count on him; Mike was her safety and her protector. He left no question about where his heart belonged. Mike spent his life as a brick mason, working alongside his dad and grandfather before eventually becoming the owner and operator of Todd Masonry.

Mike was a masculine man who spent his entire life strategically outnumbered. He grew up with two sisters whom he loved, only to go on and raise three daughters with his wife. That is a staggering number of tampons, hair, and emotion for one brick mason to endure, yet he wore his "Girl Dad" status like a badge of honor. He took immense pride in his family, often stating that if he didn't do anything else right in this world, he got his wife and daughters right. He was their shield and their biggest fan, whether he was cheering from the sidelines of a basketball game or acting out the daily drama of his cat, Ivy, as she perched on the back of his neck.

Mike's fashion sense was unparalleled. He never met a pair of jeans or a shirt that couldn't be "improved" with a pair of scissors. His signature cut-off jean shorts were the uniform of a man who was unapologetically himself.

Beyond his family, Mike felt profoundly blessed by a tight-knit circle of friends, most of whom had been by his side since high school. This crew was his second family. They traveled together, shared countless Wednesday night dinners, and spent hours noodling on the lakes. Just as he did with Fancy, Mike kept his friend group in stitches; he was the heartbeat and the humor of the gang.

A man of deep conviction and huge presence, Mike didn't leave you guessing where he stood. He loved his church, his country, and John Wayne (likely in that order). His prayers were as sturdy as his masonry, always including the nation's leaders. When he wasn't setting "box fires" in the yard from Fancy's Amazon purchases or smoking meat at his outdoor fireplace with a beer in hand, he could be found:

• Lifting his dumbbells (his "dummies") while openly weeping at Gunsmoke or a Shriners advertisement.

• Executing "dives" into Pretty Lake that looked suspiciously like world-class belly flops.

• Bragging about his "lake baths" with a bar of Irish Spring, proudly claiming he hadn't used an indoor shower from May to November.

Mike was a walking encyclopedia of dates and trivia, a skill that rivaled his talent for brick masonry. He lived to work hard, play hard, and love even harder. Anyone who met Mike Todd remembered him; he was impossible to overlook and even harder to forget.

Mike was preceded in death by his daughter, Erin Marie, and his father, John Whitford Todd, both of whom we find great comfort in knowing he has been reunited with.

He is survived by his beloved "Fancy"; his daughters, Erika, Kati, and Jami (Matthew) Beck, all of Fort Wayne; his four grandchildren, Avery, Asher, Ezra, and Eliza Beck-who still owe him for those Euchre losses; his mom, Mary Todd of South Milford; two sisters, Holly and Jeff Spaw of Avilla, Tamara and Denver Preston of Big Long Lake; two brothers-in-law and their wives, Curt and Mary Catherine Landers of Jacksonville, FL and Jack and Denise Landers of Pretty Lake; and many nieces and nephews who he adored and loved to pick on; his legendary group of friends; and Ivy the cat.

We find comfort knowing he's likely already found a lake in heaven, a fresh bar of Irish Spring, and a front-row seat to a celestial Western. We will miss him forever.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7

Visitation and services will be held at South Milford Church of Christ on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the funeral service directly following.

Memorial donations may be made to the South Milford Church of Christ or the Indiana Donor Network.