Funeral services for Michael Latcham, 73, of Newton and formerly of Lynnville, were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 5, at Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may direct memorial contributions to Community Heights Alliance Church.
Michael Howard Latcham was born May 8, 1950, at home in Montezuma to Gail Clarke and Iona Rachel (Tish) Latcham and grew up on the family farm east of town.
He passed from this life to meet his Eternal Savior on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa, AZ.
Mike graduated from Montezuma High School in 1968 where he participated in track, band, and FFA. He held a lifelong interest in track and enjoyed following his grandson, Clarke, run throughout high school and now at Simpson College.
While in college at Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO, Mike met the love of his life, Linda Sue Van Der Wilt of Monroe. They were married Dec. 5, 1970, at Monroe Baptist Church and to this union two sons were born, Brad and Matt.
Mike worked at Farmhand in Grinnell for many years and in 1986 went to work for Maytag in Newton where he remained for the next 20 years. Mike and Linda lived in Lynnville 22 years where they raised their family and moved to Newton in 1994.
Though faced with many health challenges over the years, Mike remained very positive and was always considered the eternal optimist. Mike was a longtime member of Sully First Reformed Church where he enjoyed singing in the Alleluia Choir, and after moving to Newton in 1994 became a member of Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton where he attended faithfully. Mike's faith in Jesus was paramount to him, which showed in his daily life through prayer and the kindness and compassion he showed others. Mike gave even in death as a tissue donor.
He and Linda enjoyed traveling and spending the last 10 winters in Arizona. His most memorable trips included those to Yellowstone Park, Alaska, and multiple Iowa Hawkeye bowl games. Mike's hobbies included hunting pheasants, deer, and mushrooms, fishing, working on home projects, gardening, taking Ranger rides around the farm, and just visiting with family and friends. A highlight each year was the annual fishing trip to Upper Cullen Lake in Minnesota, which he had been doing since 1981.
Mike was a true family man, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He found great joy in supporting his kids and grandkids in their activities and followed them faithfully over the years. A special part of his life was the lifelong friendship he had with his three brothers.
Mike is survived by his wife Linda of Newton, son Brad (Chris) Latcham of New Sharon, son Matt (Sarah) Latcham of Wellman, grandsons Clarke and Nile Latcham of Wellman, and brothers Dennis (Vera) Latcham, Randy (Sarah) Latcham, and Craig (Kay) Latcham all of Montezuma, along with many nephews, nieces, and many, many friends he met along life's journey. He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law Wildo and Agnes Van Der Wilt.
