Michael John "Mike" Ullery

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Micheal (Mike) John Ullery passed away February 10, 2026, in Peoria, Arizona. Born September 10, 1944, in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, to Marie (Joan) Moore of Toowoomba, Australia and Maxwell (Max) Vaughn Ullery of Ligonier, Indiana. As an infant, Mike and his mother moved to Indiana. Months later, Max joined them following his honorable discharge from the army. The family eventually moved to San Gabriel, California where Mike attended middle school and then San Gabriel High School. Shortly after turning eighteen, he enlisted in the Air Force and served in Vietnam. In 1966, he was honorably discharged to attend college and married Jean Ann Hartmuss on September 24, 1966th in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mike was a whizz with numbers, which led him to a career in finance and accounting. He had fond memories of a position he had early on working for businessman and entrepreneur, the late Karl Eller. During his time with Mr. Eller, he was gifted a desk plaque labeled, "The Wizard", which he treasured and kept all his days. The last position Mike held was as an accountant with the Arizona Department of Corrections, from which he retired. Changing direction, Mike went back to school and earned his LPN nursing license and was hired at HOV, where he realized his passion was working with hospice patients and others in their late stages of life.

Living most of his life obese and with developed health problems due to poor habits, Mike began searching for a better way of life. Determined and making the necessary changes, he found weight loss, better health and happiness. He loved being outside and riding his bike. In hopes of encouraging others seeking to change their lives for the better, he wrote a book sharing his journey and providing tools for goal setting and developing the thought patterns necessary to sustain them. Whether it was supporting programs that benefited inmates looking for a new start, volunteering for Special Olympic events, participating in the Arizona Golden Retriever Connection or volunteering for Hospice of the Valley, Mike was always looking for ways to help others.

Mike is fondly remembered by his wife, Jean; his children, who were his pride and joy, son JR (Sherry) Ullery and daughter Amy (Michael) Clifton; his grandchildren Lanny (Andrew), Hailey (Ayden), Abbey (Danny), Caleb, Mason, and Molly; and his great-granddaughter Sage. A formal service will not be held; however, individuals who wish to honor Mike are welcome to share a memory or photograph.