Michael William Brooks

Oct. 28, 1942 - March 23, 2013
SOUTH BEND - Michael William Brooks died March 23, 2013, following a brief illness. Michael was born October 28, 1942, in South Bend, Indiana, to the union of Arvester Brooks Sr. and Noble Jean Brooks. Michael grew up in South Bend and he graduated from Washington High School in 1962. Shortly after graduation he moved to Gary, Indiana, where he worked in the U.S. Steel Mills. While in Gary, he met and married Darnella Everson and from that union they had a son, Michael Brooks Jr., who resides in South Bend. In 1973 Michael moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked in Retail Management for several years. He returned to South Bend in 1998 to be close to his mother and his siblings. During that time Michael began attending Indiana University, taking various courses of interest in Business, Sales and Marketing. Michael had a passion for politics and he was very opinionated. If anyone said anything negative against President Obama, Michael voiced his opinion and he refused to give credence to it. He believed in justice and treating others the way he would want to be treated. Michael loved children, especially those between the ages of 3-5 years old. He loved teaching them to count, learn their ABCs, and making them laugh. Michael is known for his storytelling, which he would embellish with his own humorous flair. His humor and warm personality touched the lives of many including one of his doctors, Dr. Peter Carney, his staff, and the staff at Michiana Hematology & Oncology. Michael leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Mrs. Noble Jean Brooks-Jones, and three siblings, Arvester Brooks Jr. (brother) of South Bend, IN, Mrs. Shirley Simmons (sister) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and Mrs. Brenda (Robert) Neal (sister) of Altadena, CA; a son, Michael Brooks Jr. of South Bend, IN; and a daughter, Dana Ward of Chicago, IL. Michael will be greatly missed by his loving family, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, his cousins and his friends. Preceding him in death were his beloved father, Arvester Lee Brooks, 1914-1985; his dearly loved brother, Arvin Allen Brooks, 1955-2012; and his baby sister, Barbara Jean Brooks, 1945-1945. Services will be held at Saints Memorial, Church of God In Christ, 321 Liberty Street, South Bend, on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior to services, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. The repast will follow the funeral procession at Saints Memorial Church. Services have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary, 1222 Napier Street, South Bend, IN.