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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
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020520 DeaconMikeFLETCHER — Deacon Michael LeVon Stout, 75, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, from this life and is now in the presence of our Lord. He finished his fight with cancer peacefully in the afternoon surrounded by family.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Feb. 7, at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. and recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, by Father Adrian Porras, pastor.

Deacon Mike, as he was better known by many, was born in South Bend, Indiana, on May 14, 1944, to the late Elmer and Mary Loma (Hannah) Stout. At the tender age of 9, he lost his mother also to cancer, and then a few years later his father remarried the former Nina Engel. He was a graduate of Central High School in South Bend. He met the love of his life, Cathie, and they were married in August 1965. He continued his education at Purdue University and majored in mechanical engineering – technology. Later, he went on to pursue a degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University-New Orleans.

He began his career working at Bendix in South Bend, moved on to Wheelabrator Frye in Mishawaka, and then transferred to Arden in June 1983 to work at Balcrank Products. While raising his family in the mountains of western North Carolina, he discovered a new passion for trout fishing and anything associated with being outside. He enjoyed his plants, gardening and helping others with anything they needed. He never met a stranger, always sharing a smile and a laugh that lit up any room.

He felt a calling to greater service in the Catholic Church and pursued his studies to become a permanent deacon. He was ordained as a permanent deacon on June 10, 2006, and served at St. Barnabas Church. His many areas of service included presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals. Other areas of outreach included prison ministry, visiting the sick and mentoring other deacon candidates, along with countless other tasks.

In his 14 years of diaconate service, Deacon Mike took to heart his call to service. As a permanent deacon, Deacon Mike was a committed man whose faith was an example to others.  He not only proclaimed the Gospel, but he lived the Gospel message and brought it to others with his wife Cathie always by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Ron; and his brother-in-law, Kenny Cole.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Cathie; daughter, Mary Swanson; son, Darren (and wife Heather); grandchildren Jilian, Katie and Trey; sisters Barb (and husband Marcel) Landuit, and Christine Cole; sisters-in-law, Joyce Schrader and Pat Luczynski; brother-in-law, Norman Michaels; and many other relatives including aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to: St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Barnabas Catholic Church, P.O. Box 39, Arden, NC 28704; or Bridge Foundation (formerly CarePartners Hospice), P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is in charge of the arrangements.

— Catholic News Herald