On January 14, 2007, Michael was called home to the Lord. "Painter Mike" was a man with a great heart. He opened his heart and home to any family or friend in need. He was a jokester, dancer and one of the best auto body painters in Bakersfield for the last 35 years. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, brother and son. He will be greatly missed and remembered. He is preceded in death by his father, Jesse; and daughters, Sara and Kara. Michael is survived by his mother, Eunice; wife, Kathleen; daughters, Amy and Jennifer; step-daughter, LeAnn; son, Ian-Michael; step-son, Justin; sisters, Karen and Madeline; brothers, Richard and Jesse; father-in-law, Christopher; grandchildren, Amarissa, Andrew, Aaron, and one on the way; nieces and nephews, Stephanie, Kim, Angie, Justin, Chris, Joshua, Ricky and Andrea; aunts and uncles, Jane and Rudy, Esther, Emma and Alex, Art and Julia. The family would like to thank the nursing staff on the 4th floor at San Joaquin Hospital for their great performance of professionalism and compassion. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 18, from 1pm– 2pm. at St. Josephs Catholic Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial following at 2pm.