June 8, 1940 ~ August 5, 2021
Gerald (Mike) Leon Gleaves, age 81, of Hilmar, California, passed away on Thursday, August 5, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Titusville, Florida, after a valiant battle with cancer. Mike was born in Modesto, California to Jim Gleaves and Angie Gleaves on June 8, 1940. He went to elementary and high school in Hilmar, California. He married Nadine Gleaves on May 29, 1962 at Prairie Flower Community Church in Turlock, California. He graduated from California Polytechnic University in 1965 with a degree in Animal Husbandry. He worked as a probation officer in Madera County and Stanislaus County and also grew almonds on his ranch.
In July of 1974, Mike, with his wife and children, moved to Colombia, South America, where they served as missionaries with Ethnos 360. In 1994 they moved back to California where they remained until Mike’s cancer diagnosis in 2019, where then they moved to Titusville, Florida to be near family.
Mike Gleaves is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Nadine Mae (nee: Carter) Gleaves; his children James Allen Gleaves (Diane), Catherine Ann (nee: Gleaves) Johnston (Tim), Melinda Marie (nee: Gleaves) Gauerke (Jeff), Nathan Michael Gleaves (Regina); his grandchildren Luke Gleaves (Amy), Tyler Gleaves (Crystal), Amy (nee: Gleaves) Vicars (Zach), Shane Gleaves, Joe Johnston, Seth Gauerke, Sarah Gauerke, Jadon Gauerke, Hunter Gleaves, Gwen Gleaves; his great-grandchildren Juliette Gleaves, Jillian Gleaves, Rosalie Gleaves, Beau Gleaves, Shiloh Gleaves, Annabelle Vicars, Elijah Vicars, and Josiah Vicars. Mike is also survived by his in-laws and many nieces and nephews and friends.
Memorials may be given to Ethnos360 for the furthering of the gospel in Colombia, South America. Online: Donations can be given through the website “ethnos360.org/give” by selecting “Give Where Most Needed” and adding a note stating “Gerald/Mike Gleaves Memorial, COLOMBIA-Indigenous Mobilization”. By check: Mail check to: Ethnos360, 312 W. 1st St. Sanford, FL 32771. Checks should be made payable to Ethnos360 and designated in the memo for “Mike Gleaves Memorial, COLOMBIA-Indigenous Mobilization.”
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Monte Vista Chapel in Turlock, California. Arrangements are by Monte Vista Chapel and Allen Mortuary in Turlock, California.
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Roger L Soderstrom says
September 19, 2021 at 12:37 amSorry we were not able to attend the memorial service – our prayers are with you Nadine and family. All of us have benefited from Mike’s role modeling the Godly qualities of being an encourager and bold witness for our Lord. He even covered some mundane details for me like how to rig a frozen anchovy to produce a realistic tail swag. Mike is going to be greatly missed for he was always a friend indeed, whether I was in need or not.
Glenda Eck says
September 13, 2021 at 6:13 pmMike and Nadine were wonderful neighbors to us as we both raised almonds out in Hilmar. They lived at the end of our driveway so I got to enjoy their lovely yard every time I left the house. I’m sure Mike has found a lovely fishing hole to enjoy in heaven. We loved them dearly and will miss them.
Bonnie Haarstad says
September 8, 2021 at 1:42 pmNadine and family,
What a wonderful man of God Mike was! I will always remember Mike going out of his way to say hi to me at church….and ALWAYS with a smile.
I know Mike will be missed, but he is now in our Father’s arms with a new body, free of cancer.
May you rest in the peace of knowing we will see Mike again.
Karen Ellington says
September 7, 2021 at 3:18 pmI don’t think anyone who knew Mike would remember him without a smile on his face. I am honored to have known Mike, and even more so to call him family. My thoughts and prayers are with Nadine and the family. Even knowing Mike went joyfully into our loving Father’s arms, he leaves a whole in the lives of those who loved him. May that whole be filled with the joy Mike gave so selflessly to others. Karen Ellington & Richard Homer
Christine Tallman says
September 1, 2021 at 2:58 amWe will always remember Mike as a cheerful, welcoming person. We enjoyed chatting with him at church and took a few classes with him. Our deepest condolences to Nadine and the rest of his family. Rest In Peace good and faithful servant. Dan & Christine Tallman