Michael "Mike" Emberton

Michael D. "Mike" Emberton, 73, passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2025, surrounded by his family at Monroe County Medical Center.

He was born in Glasgow, KY on August 8, 1952, the youngest child of the late William Lawrence and Dorcie (Burks) Emberton. On August 24, 1970, he married Kathy Ann Turner. He and Kathy shared 50 wonderful years together before her passing on November 23, 2020. Mike was a retired teacher, administrator, coach, and military veteran. He was a faithful member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church.

Mike was a 1970 graduate of Gamaliel High School. After graduation, he attended Western Kentucky University, then he joined the US Army. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He proudly served his country for four years then he and his family returned home to Kentucky where he earned his Bachelors, Masters, and Rank 1 degrees from WKU. His career in education began at his beloved Gamaliel High School where he was a football, basketball, and baseball coach and history teacher. He retired from education in 2015 where he had been the administrator at the Cumberland County Alternative School Program for several years. He was also the Chess Club coach, a club which he proudly helped form for the students in Cumberland County.

Mike was known by many names to many different people over the years. He was affectionately called Mikey, Coach, Coach E, Mr. Mike, and Mr. Emberton, but the two names he loved the most were Daddy and Poppy.

He is survived by his two loving daughters and their husbands; Tracy Joinville and husband, Nick, of Tompkinsville, KY and Tylor Emberton-Lyle and her husband, Dennis, of Horse Cave, KY; one grandson, William Michael Joinville, and his wife, Shae, of Glasgow, KY; one brother, Gary Emberton, and wife, Connie, of Tompkinsville, KY. He is also survived by his special friend/companion of three years, Gayle Harlin Mills, of Owensboro, KY, as well as many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

Other than his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Sheldon Emberton and a sister, Sharon Eakle.

Mike enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, farming, attending sporting events, playing chess and the card game pitch. He was a history and military buff and an avid UofL Cardinals fan. Mike served on the Monroe County Water District Board from 2003-2021, as well as other local boards over the years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 12 noon at Yokley Trible Funeral Home, Bro. Jimmy Smith and Bro. Mark Copass will officiate the service. Burial to follow at Bethlehem Cemetery, with DAV Chapter 20 performing military rites.

Visitation will be held on Friday afternoon from 4:00-8:00 p.m., and Saturday morning 8:00 a.m. until service time at 12 noon at Yokley Trible Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike's memory may be made to Hosparus or Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, and these may be left at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers are his dear friends and fellow Wednesday night pitch club members: Kelly Crowe, Johnny Miller, Scott Rush, Dale "Frog" Ford, Chris Ford and Chris Pruitt.