Michael E. McCloskey

Michael Elwood "Mike" McCloskey passed peacefully on December 18, 2025 at Riverview Healthcare Campus in Oak Harbor, Ohio. He was born to Elwood and Margaret (Pauwels) McCloskey on October 2, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio. He graduated in 1964 from Whitmer High School.
Mike began working at a young age at Joseph's Grocery Store with his mom and eventually switched jobs to work at Ohio Plate Glass with his dad. He then moved on to work for Washington Local School Board. In April of 1977 he started his long-time career as an Operator, and later a Training Instructor for Toledo Edison at Davis Besse Nuclear Power Plant. After 28 years of employment at Davis Besse, he retired in 2005.
He began building a life in Oak Harbor, Ohio in June of 1972, when he purchased a 1- acre plot of land, where eventually he built the family home. While building the home, he met the neighbor girl, Nancy Evans and married her on July 29, 1977. They raised their three kids Chad, Kendra and Kara in this home. As the kids grew older and became involved in 4-H, the 1-acre of land became a home to an array of animals. This eventually led him to become a 4-H advisor for The Wings and Things Club. Besides livestock, many dogs and cats found their way to call this place home. He was an animal lover, his last few years spent at home was spent loving on his cats deemed "Boots", "No Boots" and dog Izzy Mae.
He was an avid sportsmen and conservationist. In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. His fondest memories were hunting trips out west and waterfowl hunting with his long-time friend Larry Durivage. He also had many memories of fishing with his wife and kids. Many of those fishing trips included peanut butter sandwiches and stops for ice cream cones on the way home. Mike had a great respect and passion for the natural world. He made sure to pass on this passion to his kids, whether it was a fishing pole in their hand at a young age, watching outdoor tv shows on Saturday mornings, taking a drive through the state park to see the goslings and deer or taking them out in the back yard to goose hunt.
Mike can be remembered by enjoying a good cup of coffee or anytime you see a bald eagle.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Riverview Health Campus for their tireless efforts, support and compassion throughout Mike's stay at the facility.
Surviving is his wife; Nancy McCloskey of Oak Harbor, Ohio; Son: Chad (Malori) McCloskey of Oregon, Ohio; Daughters: Kendra (Jonathan) Foust of Oak Harbor, Kara (Lee) Slusher of Erie, Michigan; Sister: Joyce Slusher of Fishers, Indiana and his grandchildren: Taytum, Kyler, Cohen, Ellison, Londyn, Evan and many nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents; sisters: Margaret "Peggy" McCloskey and Judith Reynolds.
Graveside Services will begin at 10am on Monday, December 29, 2025 in Clay Township Cemetery, Genoa, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to The Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 14000 State Route 2 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserpriesman.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael, please visit our floral store.