Michael Ray Adams

Michael “Mike” Ray Adams, age 63, of Grant Park, IL, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023 after a 2-year battle with cancer.

Mike was born January 20, 1960, to the late Kenneth and Anna Adams.  He grew up in Whiting, Indiana and graduated from Whiting High School and attended Purdue Calumet and received certification in HVAC from Coyne Institute.  Mike married Linda Matthews in April 1989 and had two sons, Michael Adams (Alexandria) and Luke Adams. In 2019, Mike married his current wife, Julianne (Lopacki) Adams.

Mike was an awesome dad.  He put his family first and never missed a coaching or spectator opportunity.  He coached both sons in youth sports – Munster Little League including travel baseball, wrestling, and Pop Warner Football.  He met many friends through coaching.  One of his fondest accomplishments was starting Munster Pop Warner Football League with his best friend, Scott Sutter, in 1998.  The league is currently celebrating 25 years and going strong.  Mike also had fond memories of fly-in fishing trips to Canada with friends and all their sons.

Mike worked for Inland Steel and Lever Brothers before retiring after 28 years at the bp Whiting Refinery where he worked as an electrician and firefighter.  He met many lifelong friends through bp.  After retirement, Mike loved golfing with his sons, making birdhouses and sitting on the porch feeding and watching the birds.  He felt very blessed in his life and cherished his family and friends.  He always said that his greatest blessing was his two sons.

Besides the already mentioned family, Mike had stepchildren, Mary Villa, Alexander (Courtney) Baczkowicz, Denny Hoge, Theresa Hoge, Sadie Hoge, Jacob Hoge, and many step grandbabies.  He also had three siblings, Richard Adams (deceased), Terry Adams, and Donna (Greg) Tudor.  Nieces are Whitney (Tanner) Lynde, Julia (Matt) O’Donnell, and Jenna Adams.  Nephews are Zachary (soon to be wife, Mary) Tudor and Drew (Sydney) Adams.  Mike is also survived by his mother-in-law, Marion Lopacki.

Mike and Julie lived on a small farm and enjoyed spending time outdoors having cookouts with family, gardening, and also traveling.  They shared a special love for their dogs, Brady, Winston, Wyatt, and Wally.  The dogs brought him great comfort and they will miss him very much.

Visitation will be on Friday, August 25, from 3-7pm at Fagen-Miller Funeral Home located at 8580 Wicker Avenue, Saint John, Indiana.  Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, August 26, at 10:30 am, at St. Maria Goretti, 500 Northgate Drive, Dyer, Indiana.  Friends may also gather 30 minutes prior to the Mass. Burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Cemetery.

Those who wish to remember Mike in a special way and in lieu of flowers please make gifts in his memory to the Hospice of Calumet Area.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Ray Adams, please visit our floral store.