Michael Van Horn was born April 8, 1958 in Muncy, PA.   Mike found a love for running in high school and after winning many races, he realized he was still not fulfilled.  Through a group of friends at Kennedy High School, he committed his life and talents to God.   Mike was an All-American in Track and Field in High School and then went on to run at CSUS.  On April 3, 1977, he married Sandy Warford and had two children, Michelle (Oct.1977) and Toby Van Horn (June 1979).  Along with being a dedicated husband, daddy and going to college, he qualified for the Olympic Trials in the Marathon in 1979 and again became an All-American in Cross Country.  Mike graduated from CSUS in 1981 and then moved to Lincoln, CA where he was a youth minister for Youth for Christ running ‘Campus Life’ programs in South Placer County for 14 years. He also coached Cross Country and Track and Field at Lincoln High School for 10 years.  He was a National Class Distance Runner, and retired from racing after winning the Foresthill 15K, since he was planning on competing again at age 40. He also loved skiing and golfing.

Mike was committed to serving the Lord in everything he did.  In September of 1994 he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and realized this was another race God had prepared him for.  For 16 months Mike served the Lord in this battle, sharing how faithful God is and wanting all those that knew him to join him in Heaven one day. He realized his goals were running the marathons in the Olympics and yet, God quietly showed him that he had a much more important race for him. Once again, Mike won his race on earth and graduated with honors to his heavenly home on January 20, 1996 at the age of 37. 

Mike’s favorite quote was, “Our lives are not futile. Our failures are not fatal. Our deaths are not final.”  Mike was a dedicated husband, dad and friend.  Mike is in the front row of heaven, cheering on his wife of almost 19 years, Sandy Van Horn (now Russell), his children and best friends, Michelle Peters (then 18) and Toby Van Horn (then 16) of Lincoln. His parents Roland and Doris Van Horn, his brother, Steve Van Horn and sister, Julie Van Horn as well many family and friends.  Mike’s wife, Sandy, is now remarried and lives in Rancho Cordova.  His daughter, Michelle, married Chris Peters and has a son, Gabriel (8) and a daughter, Abigail (9 months), and three angels, Ethan Michael, Kori and Levi in heaven with their papa Mike.  His son, Toby, is married to Melissa Ossont and has two daughters, Andie (10), Alex (8), and a son, Michael (6).  Along with his three grandsons, Mike now has been joined in heaven by his dad, Roland Van Horn.