After a short illness, Michael (Mike) Bokesch died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Mike was born on December 6, 1939 in Siebenbürgen, Romania. During the war, his family was forced to leave their home, and after many months of wandering westward, they arrived in Linz, Austria. From 1945–1956 the family lived in a refugee camp, where Michael completed high school. In 1956, thanks to the sponsorship of Pastor Roy Hoch of Glenwood Lutheran Church, the family was able to immigrate to Toledo, Ohio.

Mike enrolled in high school for a second time at J.W. Scott High School so he could learn English and adapt to life in his new country. It was there that he met Laura Allen, who became and remained the love of his life for the next 68 years. After Laura and Mike completed their college degrees, they were married in 1966 by the pastor who sponsored his family to this country.

Mike worked at Toledo Trust Bank before moving to California, where he spent many years as a salesman. An avid golfer, he formed friendships on the course that lasted throughout his life. He loved warm weather, swimming, and spending time in the sauna at his local club. After retirement, he pursued a passion for photography, a craft that beautifully combined his appreciation for nature and his love of people. Mike had an exceptionally keen eye for capturing the moments and details that others might miss.

To his cherished friends and family, Mike will be remembered for his quick wit, his deep historical knowledge, his love of animals, and his remarkable ability to connect with people of all ages. He and his brother Martin shared a close relationship, maintaining a strong bond throughout their lives despite living on opposite sides of the country. Although he and Laura did not have children of their own, Mike was beloved by his nieces, nephews, and the neighborhood children. The Miller family next door, and their children, became truly like his own. He could always be counted on, showing up during tough or busy times without being asked or needing anyone to notice. His goddaughter, Sarah Martinez, whose bond with Mike began in her middle-school years and deepened over the decades, described him as a steady, generous, and loving presence in her life and, later, in the lives of her husband, Joshua, and their young children.

Mike embodied kindness in every sense. He offered help freely, never seeking attention or gratitude. He was well known for giving away two-dollar bills from his extensive collection to people he met and cared about. He also hand-crafted custom wooden boxes, each engraved and filled with special coins from his collection—tokens of the thoughtfulness that defined him.

Mike is predeceased by his parents, Sophia and Michael Bokesch, and his brother-in-law, John Allen. He is survived by his devoted wife, Laura; his brother Martin (Karen) Bokesch; his niece Susan (Todd) Moser; his nephews Eric (Jennifer) Bokesch, Brian (Sara) Bokesch, and Craig(Betty) Bokesch and seven great nieces and nephews; his sister-in-law Dianne Allen; his brother-in-law Ted (Martha) Allen; and his nieces Rachel (Leah) Allen and Tobey Allen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Michael's name to the - Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation ( support.mcsf.org )

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