TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) – Callahan and Hughes Funeral home issued the following obituary about the passing of Mike McCormick.
Brian Michael McCormick, better known as Mike McCormick, 85, of Terre Haute passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024, in his residence surrounded by family. He was born February 16, 1939, in Ft. Wayne, IN to Clifton McCormick and Margaret Hoffman McCormick.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Rebecca Sue Fields McCormick; stepson, Michael Lenahan (Teri); daughter, Erin Guevara (Tony); son, Brian McCormick II (Mandy); and grandchildren, Lauren Lenahan, Luke Lenahan, Blake Steidel, Owen Frazier, Finley Frazier, Maura McCormick, and Cooper McCormick. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nancy McCormick.
Mike was a graduate of Wiley High School, Indiana State University, and Indiana University School of Law. During his career, he served as an attorney, author, journalist, and historian. Throughout his more than 40 years of private practice, he also served as the Indiana Deputy Attorney General, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and City Attorney. He was admitted to the Supreme Court (Indiana), United States District Court, United States Tax Court, and the Supreme Court of the United Circuit Court of Appeals.
One of Mike’s proudest and most loved achievements was serving as the Vigo County Historian for 24 years. He loved his community and was active in many civic organizations and committees, including I.S.U. Sycamore Varsity Club, Rose-Hulman Board of Associates, Vigo County Historical Society, Canal Society of Indiana, ISU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, Rose-Hulman Sports Hall of Fame, Records Chairman of U.S. Olympics Track & Field Trials, Terre Haute Area Chamber of Commerce, Wabash Valley Quarterback Club, ISU Distinguished Alumni Selection Committee, Terre Haute Landmarks, Board of Public Works and Safety, Director of Educational Heritage Association of Vigo County, Director of Indiana Track and Field & Cross Country Hall of Fame, Board of Cemetery Regents, Indiana University Alumni Association, Indiana State University Alumni Association, Indiana University Varsity Club, Phi Gamma Delta, Delta Theta Phi, Arts Illiana, and Swope Art Gallery.
In addition to authoring Terre Haute: Queen City of the Wabash, Mike had a passion for sharing Vigo County “Historical Perspectives” and “Wabash Valley Profiles” as a weekly columnist for the Terre Haute Tribune Star for over 25 years. He had many publications in Wabash Valley Magazine, World War II Times, Terre Haute Spectator (columnist & sports editor), and multiple briefs before Indiana Court of Appeals, Indiana Supreme Court, United Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court, as well as Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Justices of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Mike received many awards throughout his career including Hubert Hawkins Award from Indiana Historical Society, Vigo County Historical Society History Maker Award, The Outstanding Young Men of America Award Winner, Wabash Valley Quarterback Club Outstanding Service Award, Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, Best Sports Reporting Saturday Spectator, Mayors Meritorious Service Award, and Marquis Who’s Who in American Law.
Mike was a member of Terre Haute/Vigo County Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Indiana High School Basketball Historical Society, Society of American Baseball Research, Sycamore Blue Streak, and Terre Haute Journal of Business.
Mike’s greatest joys in life were spending time with his family and watching his children and grandchildren participate in their many activities. He loved his pets, sports, history, astronomy, genealogy, and was a beloved friend to many. He never met a stranger! Mike was Terre Haute’s personal search engine for everything related to history, sports, and most importantly, the youngest bat boy for the TH Phillies.
Visitation will be from 2:00 – 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street, with Fred Nation officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Vigo County History Center or VNA / Hospice of the Wabash Valley.
