Michael John Broker Jr.

Michael John Broker, Jr., of Lohman, Missouri, peacefully entered Eternal Life October 30, 2024, at home surrounded by his family, following a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Mike was born in Frankenstein, Missouri on August 9, 1941, the seventh child of Michael J. Broker and Anna (Bengel) Broker. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Joseph, Theodore, Eugene, Vince, Lawrence Broker, and their spouses, his sister Mary Ann Kremer and her Wilfred Kremer, son Daniel Broker, grandson Michael John Broker, IV, great-granddaughter Coraline Perez, and several nieces and nephews. Mike is survived by the love of his life and bride of 60 years, Loretta (Gueguen) Broker of Lexington, MO, his children Bridget Masotti (Alex) of Piedmont, SC, Michael Broker III (Leslie) of Lohman, MO, Leah Broker of Asheville, NC, Russell Broker (Sarah) of Lake Saint Louis, MO, David Broker of Tampa, FL, John Broker (Katharyn) of Pasadena, CA, and grandchildren Anthony, Megan, Rachel, Micaela, Dominic, Erin, Olivia, Daniel, Caitlyn, Jacob, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Jade and Hugh, plus nine (9) great-grandchildren. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends in numbers that rival the stars.
Mike attended primary school at Our Lady Help of Christians parish school in Frankenstein alongside his brother Larry. He went on to graduate high school - the first in his family – at Fatima High School in Westphalia, Missouri. After graduation, he attended what was then Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO, where he received a B.S. of ED. in Public Speaking/Communications, and a M.A. in Public Address (1967). He did his Student Teaching at the old Jefferson City High School. Mike's first teaching job was at the high school in Lexington, Missouri, where the town's matchmaker introduced him to Loretta Susan Gueguen in 1963. True love quickly ensued, and they entered into Holy Matrimony on August 22, 1964. They welcomed seven children between 1965 and 1979.
In his early career the family lived in Lexington, Raytown, and Kansas City, Missouri. He was a proud teacher and director of musicals for Raytown South High School. A change of career took him to Avon, then Johnson County Community College as HR director. In 1977, Mike and Loretta achieved their dream to move out of the city to raise their family in the countryside. Fate led them to the 106-acre Ott farm, just off St. Michael's Road in Lohman, MO. After the move, Mike worked at Chesebrough Ponds in Jefferson City, then as HR director for the Missouri Public Service Commission until 1997. While with the PSC, he was active in the Missouri Public Employees Labor Relations Association, attending national conferences with Loretta. He also taught evening classes in communications at Lincoln University and Columbia College. Mike's career was cut short at age 55 by heart disease, which led to numerous procedures and lengthy recoveries. However, in retirement he served two terms on the University of MO Extension Council.
Michael was an active participant in his children's activities, including 4H, FFA, Cub Scouts Pinewood Derbies, and fishing tournaments. He directed plays for the Cole R-1 PTA, with the parents as actors. He knew the importance of music in education, and ensured each child learned an instrument. Mike shared his wisdom and life skills to prepare his kids and grandkids for work or college. His sage advice guided many students in addition to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A life-long hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, Mike was a lover of nature, seasonal changes, and weather patterns. He was always proud to take his kids and grandkids deer and turkey hunting, fishing, and mushroom hunting. A walk or ride through the woods with Mike was like attending an outdoor classroom, as he would identify every tree, wildflower, bird, and wildlife. He loved going to auctions and hunting for treasures for other people. One man's trash is another man's treasure was a favorite motto. His quest to reuse/recycle/repurpose was legendary, choosing findermike as his email address. He was well known as announcer for many years at the Lohman Tractor Pulls.
A proud achievement was working on the re-opening of St. Michael Catholic Church in Russellville, MO, and serving as their first Parish Council President. He and Loretta worked with a wonderful team to raise funds and build the new church. Mike was also a proud 3rd Degree Knight in Russellville and 4th degree Knight with St. Jude Assembly 1567, dedicated to the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. The St. Michael K of C held the best Friday Fish Fries, and Mike loved interacting with his fellow parishioners as he served.
One of Mike's life-long dreams was to re-create the corn whiskey that his father and Uncle Johnny crafted in Frankenstein back in the day. His kids surprised him with a small personal still for his 70th birthday, and by his 80th birthday, Blacksmith Distillery was in full operation on the family farm. Toward the end of Mike's cancer battle, he was able to observe the construction of the new distillery building on the site of the historic barn which had recently collapsed. He was so proud of the Distillery's many awards and accolades, loved working with four of his children as partners, and was featured in an Emmy winning documentary about the founding of the distillery. Mike was very proud of the distillery's Four Brothers Bourbon honoring four of his older brothers who served together in World War II.
Mike will be remembered for his Storytelling, generosity of Spirit, strong Faith, his love for family and friends, and how he honored his marriage vows. One of Mike's favorite writers, Mark Twain, wrote - Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry. Mike achieved this.
The Broker Family is so grateful for the amazing angels at Phoenix Home Health & Hospice for their kind ministry to Mike, especially Millie, as well as his oncology team at JCMG Oncology under Dr. Haddadin, who led the cancer battle from 2019-2024, and also, Dr. Mark Wakefield, MD, Urology Clinic at MU Health Care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to St. Michael Catholic Church, Russellville, Missouri, or to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at St. Michael Church, Russellville, MO, with a Rosary at 7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, November 11, 2024, at 11:00AM at St. Michael Church, Russellville, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com