Michael 'Mike' Suppes, 72, Hays, died Friday, May 30, 2025 at Select Specialty Hospital in Wichita.
He was born September 2, 1952 in Great Bend, the son of Severin and Rose (Billinger) Suppes. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor and the St. Francis Third Degree Knights of Columbus.
As a child, when Mike wasn't bonding with his brother by picking on their little sister, he was biting junkyard dogs and running through his babysitter’s glass door leaving a scar on his nose. When he was 12, he rode a train from Livermore, California to Victoria, Kansas where he lived with his Grandpa Billinger who taught him the colorful old-time sayings that we all knew and loved. He spent the weekends on the farm in Liebenthal with his grandparents on the Suppes side, getting in trouble with his cousin Suzie for playing on the rope in the barn.
After a year, Mike went back to California where he earned a reputation for not liking bullies and for standing up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves. He was known by name as someone not to be messed with. He then joined the hippy movement in the San Francisco area where he expanded his mind and his taste in clothes. He moved from denim and slicked back hair to bell bottoms and love beads. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era where he and his brother were stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington State. After leaving the Army, he ditched the barber and hit the road with his newfound love for Harley Davidson motorcycles. During this period of open road freedom and keg parties he met his future bride, Beatrice “Bea” Reeh.
Mike and Bea were married a year later, on June 17, 1978 in Victoria, and they quickly started the task of making a home and family, welcoming their two children, Nick and Natalie. Mike loved his family and having children around. For the next 20 years it was dance classes, Cub Scouts, sporting events, coaching, fishing, hunting, and his personal favorite, family camping trips. Family was his love and way of life.
After putting his two kids through school, it wasn't long before he was gifted with his first grandchild and every three years thereafter, he was gifted with another fishing buddy. With loving arms, he welcomed his four grandchildren, Alexa, Adam, Eliana, and Gage. He was again allowed to rinse and repeat the wonderful times of sports, outdoors, and time spent with those he loved.
Enjoying his retirement, Mike spent the rest of his years in bibs, doing what he loved most: fishing, camping, woodworking, and spending his time with loved ones. He will be missed.
Survivors include his wife Bea of Hays, son, Nick Suppes (Amanda) of Wichita Falls, TX, daughter, Natalie Suppes-Armbrister (Garrett Keil) of Hays, his brother, Joe Suppes (Sunny) of Vernonia, OR, his sister, Marilyn Pfannenstiel and husband Mike of Munjor, four grandchildren, Eliana Suppes, Gage Suppes, Alexa Armbrister (Conner Staab), Adam Armbrister, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew Adam Pfannenstiel.
Mass of Christian Burial was on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor with Fr. Damian Richards officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard followed in the church cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or to Scout Troop #101. Condolences and memories of Mike may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com.