Michael J. “Mike” Baye, 75, passed away on July 14, 2021, with his children at his side. He was born October 11, 1945, to Wilfrid “Bill” and Leona (Rondou) Baye, the youngest of a set of twins and the baby of the family of seven children. Mike attended St. Patrick Grade School and graduated from Green Bay West High School. After graduating from high school in 1964, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a Signals Intercept Analyst, stationed in Texas for a year and later Germany for three years. We would tell you more about his military career, but that information is classified. After returning stateside, he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from U.W. Oshkosh, where when not studying he spent much of his free time at The Library.
On August 21, 1971, Mike married Mary Peters and the union was blessed with four children. In 1972, Mike began a long career in education in the Little Chute School System. He spent a short period of time coaching both high school track and basketball, but was especially proud of his 26 years of coaching Mustang Football where his players will remember his PhD in forearm shivers. He finally retired after his youngest son graduated in 1998.
On July 21, 1990, he married Karen Rygh at Calvary Lutheran Church. The couple loved planning get-togethers with family and friends and truly enjoyed hosting an annual Christmas party. They also enjoyed many trips to Door County to see the changing of the seasons and cheering on the Packers. Mike was instrumental in organizing Baye Family Reunions at Bay Beach and the West High Class of 1964 Reunions and communications. Mike took great pride in his four-year service to his country, but the thing he held dearest was the lifelong friendships he developed with his Air Force buddies. He cherished his Air Force Reunions. Mike looked forward to times he could spend with his children and adored taking care of the grandchildren. He and Karen could be found cheering them on at all of their events. In all of these adventures, Mike could be found with his camera on his neck recording the moment in film and favorite baseball hat on his head advertising his passions.
Always ready to lend a hand, Mike was a member of the Grumpy Old Men at Calvary Lutheran Church. While he would not want to be recognized, he was acknowledged, rewarded and appreciated by many for his selflessness. That giving spirit continued after his passing as Mike was a registered organ and tissue donor.
Mike is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Emma and their son, Luke; daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen and Aaron Hank and their children, Samantha, Casey and Jaime; son and daughter-in-law, William and Cheri and their children, Alexander, Kaylee and Marcus; his son David and his fiancée Dacia Immel and their son, Michael; the mother of his four children, Mary Phillips; his mother-in-law, Darlene Rygh; his brothers and sisters, Tom (Vonnie) Baye, Mary Anne (Ron) Mandich, Katy Hendricks, Carol Jones, and his twin brother Joseph (Roberta) Baye; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rich (Sheryl) Rygh, Randy (Kelly) Rygh, Kathy (Dan) Stecklein, Julie (Lester) Green, Chari (Jay Nieman) Madrigal, Jodi (Greg) Crooks; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Karen on May 16, 2020; his parents, Bill and Leona Baye; his father-in-law, Roland Rygh; a sister and four brothers-in-law, Nancy and John Mersereau, Nicolas Meeuwsen, Norris Jones, and William Hendricks Sr. as well as a nephew, James Hendricks.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St. Please feel free to wear your Mustang, Packer, Wildcat, or Air Force gear to honor your relationship to Mike. Visitation will continue from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Monday at Calvary Lutheran Church. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the church with Rev. Jeff Fricke officiating. Full Military Honors will conclude the services. Entombment will be in Allouez Chapel Mausoleum. To send online condolences visit www.prokowall.com.