Thomas “Mike” Armstead

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, October 26, 1960
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Age:
56 years old

Visitation

Date: Sunday January 29, 2017
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Second Visitation

Date: Monday January 30, 2017
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location: Pax Christi Catholic Church [ view map ]

Funeral Mass

Date: Monday January 30, 2017
Time: 11:00 am

Location: Pax Christi Catholic Church [ view map ]

Burial Location

Calvary Cemetery - Springfield, Illinois

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, October 26, 1960
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Age:
56 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Wednesday, October 26, 1960
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Age:
56 years old

Thomas “Mike” Armstead

Thomas Michael Armstead, of Rochester, MN, passed away peacefully at home on January 24, 2017.  Mike was born in Springfield, IL to Thomas L. Armstead and Janet F. Armstead on October 26, 1960. He grew up in Springfield with three older sisters and one younger brother.  He graduated from Griffin High School in 1978 and Marquette University in 1982 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He started his long career at IBM in 1982. After 34 years at IBM, he was an accomplished Senior Engineer with numerous patents. In 1985, he married his high school sweet heart, Therese (Casey) Armstead. Together they had four children; Stephanie Armstead of Denver, Colorado, Daniel and wife, Sara Armstead of Minneapolis, Franny Armstead, and James Armstead of Rochester.

“Army”, as his friends knew him, was passionate about sports, in particular golf and football and often hosted parties and tournaments to bring his friends together. Mike combined his love for sports and selfless commitment to community in his years as the Athletic Director at St. Francis School and decades of coaching soccer and basketball. He volunteered with Junior Achievement, Kiwanis and the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Pax Christi. He enjoyed golfing, cooking and traveling with his active family.

He is survived by his wife, Therese, and his children, Stephanie, Dan and wife Sara, Franny, and James; three sisters, Barb (Tim) Call, Linda (John) Kulek, Karrie (Brad) Long; and brother, John Armstead. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, John Armstead.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00AM Monday, January 30, 2017 at Pax Christi Catholic Church in Rochester officiated by Father Joseph Fogal. Visitation will be Sunday, January 29th from 4:00-7:00pm in River Park Chapel of Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the dedicated staff of Mayo Clinic and Mayo Hospice. Memorials are preferred to Lourdes Foundation for a scholarship established in memory of Mike Armstead, directly accessed at http://www.lourdesfoundation.org/make-a-gift/give-now.

Condolences

The family of Thomas “Mike” Armstead has received the following condolences.

Our hearts are with all of you as we share your grief.  Please know that the Ellingsons were thinking of each of you, even in our darkest hour.  We hope to come by and visit sometime soon.


Love from all of us!

Therese,


We are so very sorry to hear of your husband passing.  Your family is in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.


- Craig and Patricia Cold

Therese, I am so saddened to hear about the passing of Mike. He was a battler, a great guy, husband, father and friend to so many people. Army always made me smile and had good stories to tell. He was amazing in his battle of cancer and I have always admired him for who he was and how he battled the disease. May you find comfort in the fact that he is now in peace in heaven and not struggling with pain. Everyone will miss Army and he will miss his WONDERFUL family here on earth. You will continue to be alive in the Nonn's thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all. Love the Armsteads. Mary Anne, Rachel, Danielle, Ryan and Gerry.

I am so sorry about hearing about the passing of Mike.  I met him at daily Mass at Pax and usually got some coffee at St. James afterwards.  He was a great man.

My condolences to the Armstead family for the loss of a great guy.  I first met Army on the soccer field playing IBM league in 1996.  I have to admit that I did not like playing against him as he was very tough guy and hard to catch up with.  I have very fun memories of Army from soccer and work and I feel luckily to have known him.  I feel sad the world lost a great person like Mike. 

 Your poor family has been through so much. I pray for mercy for your whole family. I pray for strength because you still have challenges to come. And I am so sorry for everything you have all gone through.

Therese & Family,


Words cannot begin to express the sympathy felt in our hearts for each of you. Mike was an ever-present, caring, loving husband, father, and person. He lived a faith-filled life with a servant's heart. Please know we are lifting you in prayer as you walk this journey.  May you feel God's love and His presence surrounding you.


With deepest sympathy ~ Mary & Todd Kelsey, Elizabeth, John, & Katherine


 

Therese, 


We are so sad to hear about your loss. Mike was a wonderful Husband and Father. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. He will be missed...


Love, Rob, Gwen & JD

Our hearts will continue to pray for your family during this difficult time. Army was a great husband, father, friend and a true role model. We'll continue to remember all the great times and memories (which are many!) and are saddened that we can't currently be there with you to offer our hugs and condolences in person. May the comfort of Christ guard your hearts in the days ahead as you mourn your loss.

Therese,


 


Sorry to hear about your loss. We are thinking of you and your family.


 


The Hintze's

Therese,


I am so sorry to hear of your husband passing.  Your family are in my prayers through this difficult time.


May god bless you and your family.


 


Darren McNeil

Therese,


I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing.  I remember how kind and fun he was at our company party last year.  I am so impressed by his accomplishments and dedication to volunteerism and his family.  Peace to you and your family during this difficult time.


With deepest sympathy,


Missy Gomez

On behalf of the entire staff at West Bend, I extend our deepest condolences to Therese and her family on the loss of her husband and partner of so many years.  We hope that the love and support of the Atlas associates and your carrier partners will help you in this sad and difficult time. 

Therese,


 


I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss.  My thoughts & prayers are with you.  


 

Therese and family:


 


So sorry the learn of Army's death.  My thoughts and prays are with you. Army was always a person who bought a smile to face when I was around him.

Dear Therese & Family: I was so sorry & saddened to hear about Mike's passing. Please know that I am thinking of you all & praying you find peace in your beautiful memories of Mike.  Love & Hugs, Teresa. 

Dear Armstead family, I am deeply saddened by the news of Army. When I think of Mike, I remember our morning phone calls on work and life topics. His love and praise of his family started every call, and we ended discussing and reminding each other of the right priorities. I will miss him.


 


 


 


Regards,


Chuck Boice ( Endicott friend)

Therese and family,


 


I want to extend my condolences to you and the rest of the family. I am deeply saddened to hear of Mikes passing. I met him when he first arrived in Rochester and played with him on various IBM football, soccer, volleyball, and basketball teams. He was a take charge person and soon members on his teams were referred to as Army's army. He was always a joy to be around and even though he was competitive, he maintained a joyful and positive attitude. He will be missed.


 


Roy Ames

Therese-and the rest of the Armstead family. My condolences on the loss of Army-he was such a great guy. I met him through my brother Tom when we would golf many times. I could always tell that Army had a great bond with all his IBM golfing friends and was always  a great guy to be around. He will be missed.


Pat Liebsch 

Therese and family,


Our prayers are with you all in this difficult time. May the perpetual light shine upon Mike and may he returned in peace with the Lord. 


May the Lord bless you and give you strength and comfort, 


 


Carl and Marilyn Johnson


St. Joseph,  MO

Theresa, I am so sorry to hear about Mike's passing.  Always a really nice guy. Hugs and prayers. Anne Staab Barber, Tucson, Arizona. 

I am so sorry for your loss. Mike was one of the best coaches I ever had. Fun, supportive, and always pushing us to be better people and players.


My deepest condolences.


 


 

We all send our deepest sympathy to you Therese, Steph, and to the Arnstead family.  Mike was a special person and we have fond memories of the great times we spent countless basketball and soccer games. We are blessed to have known him and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.  Cammy and Mike

Therese, my thoughts are with you. I am so sorry for your loss.

Therese and family!  We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Army!  He was a great guy and a wonderful soccer coach.  We have very fond memories of him and his interaction with the boys.  What a great role model he was to teach the boys the game of soccer but to have fun playing it.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole Armstead family.  He will be missed.  With deepest sympathies,


 


Anthony, Laura, Dylan & Alexa Shirek

Therese and family, We were so sorry to hear of Mikes passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Mike holds a special place in our hearts of the Lourdes boys soccer community. He always had the time to offer support and thoughts even after the boys had graduated. I will miss him and his friendship and know I was a better person for having known him. Tom and Carmen Kane

Dear Therese & family, 


Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to you all.  Losing a husband/father who is so beloved by everyone is extremely difficult, more than words can express... May you find some comfort in knowing that he will always be with you and that heaven has gained an angel.  My family and I are praying for you as you mourn and hope you can find peace in the incredible memories you all have had together.  


Always,


Christine & Mat Larson 

We are so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. We remember him fondly and know he will be missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.


Blessings

To Therese and family I am so sorry for your loss and my families thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.  It was an honor to have even known Mike.  Although, regrettably, it had been years since I had seen him I have a fond memory of randomly running into him at the old Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas 20 years ago.  We were both with our 4 best high school friends from Griffin HS there to enjoy the NCAA tournament.  Got a tap on the shoulder, turned around and there he was.  A great memory with a great guy.  May God bless the Armstead and Casey families.  RIP Mike...

Therese, I am very sorry to hear of your husbands passing. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.


 


Kyle Garman

Therese and kids ~


Words can't express how very sorry I was to hear about Mike. Please know many prayers are being sent your way. 


Nola


 

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your wonderful husband, Mike.  My heart sank when I heard the news.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.  Mike isn't suffering any longer and now is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in heaven.

Therese and Family,


So very sorry for your loss.  Please accept our deepest sympathies and know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


Love,


Don and Gay Reed

Therese, the whole family is in my thoughts and prayers after the loss of a wonderful person! It was such a pleasure getting to know him during all of the soccer summers. 

Therese,


I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, Mike.  I am keeping you close in heart and prayer.


Most sincerely,


Carolyn Piepho


 

THERESE MY FAMILY WILL KEEP YOU IN OUR PRAYERS. STAY STRONG.

Therese,


I am sorry to hear of your loss.  I will keep you and your family in my thought and prayers through this difficult time


 


Chad Van Curler

 


Therese,


I am so sorry for your loss. My God give you the strength to carry on in this difficult time. I'll think of you in my prayers.


 


Sincerely,


Aklog


 

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