Michael L. Fuller

Michael L. Fuller, 47, formerly of Sioux City, went to be with his dad, Papa Bill, on May 7, 2008.

Memorial services will be at a later date in Sioux City. He will be laid to rest in Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Boulder City, Nev.

Michael was born Dec. 17, 1960, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He grew up in Sioux City. He attended Leeds Junior High, where he wrestled and played football. He then continued on to North High School. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to become a tactical aircraft maintenance craftsman.

In 1986, Mike and Barbara Schrunk were married and moved to England where they had their first daughter, Tara Marie, born in March 1987. The couple then moved to California, Nebraska and finally settled down in Las Vegas, Nev. After a few years, they would have their second daughter, Haleigh Marie in October 1996. While living in Las Vegas, Mike finally was able to dedicate himself to his Jeep Scrambler, working on it all night with his good friend, Jeremy. Mike then slowed down enough with his career to watch Tara compete in rodeos and Haleigh dance in her recitals. His family meant the world to him, and he always knew how to make his girls feel like stars.

After serving his country for 25 years and 7 months, he was honorably discharged as a master sergeant. During his military career, he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Air Force Longevity Service Medal with one SOLC and Air Force Good Conduct Service Medal with one SOLC and three OLC, along with many other recognitions. He traveled the world during his career, mainly to the Middle East, where he served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield.

Mike was a very loving son, husband, daddy, brother and friend to many. Everyone knew Mike was a man you could go to with any problem and he comforted many knowing that they would walk away with a solution. He loved his family with all his heart and did anything and everything for "his girls." He will be deeply missed by all his friends and family. He touched the lives of many, and we all believe in yesterdays.

Survivors include his mother, Donna Loftus of Sioux City; his beloved wife, Barbara of Pahrump, Nev.; his children, Tara Marie Fuller and her significant other, Jacques "J.J." Hampton, and Haleigh Marie Fuller, at home; a brother and his wife, Billy and Darcie Fuller of Sioux City; a sister, Rita Bolin and her family, Martha and Brian of Minnesota; nieces and nephews, Tab Jeffrey, Trista, Tiffany, Tonya and Ty William Kennedy, all of Kansas; three brothers-in-law, Michael Rawson (his best friend) and his family, Pamela Beth, Alexius Marie, Lance Michael and Kyle Richard, all of Sioux City, William "Bill" Schrunk and Keith Kupec of Brookings, S.D.; and a nephew and his mother, Nick Schrunk and Amber Gregg of Sioux City. Special friends include Grammie Marilyn and Grandpa Dick, Mike and Pamela Rawson, Skip Neubaum, the Smith Boys, Jeremy and Andrea Yates, along with their children, Kelsey, Zach and Austin, John and Beth Kendell, Leo and Barb Price, Grandpa Al, Omelys and Igdalia Abreu,

Arturo, Elsa Alvarez and their son, Arti, Matthew Valentine and all the military personnel that worked with Mike and his beloved dog, Maggie May.

He was preceded in death by his father, William "Papa" Loftus; his grandparents, Cliff and Alice Watkins; an uncle, George Watkins; an aunt, Dorothy Watkins Moriston; his mother-in-law, Alice Marie Schrunk; a sister, Beverly Kennedy; a brother-in-law, Robert Schrunk; and a sister-in-law, Glenda Marie Kupec.