T. Michael Downs

T Michael Downs, known affectionately as “Mike”, was a caring husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Mike passed away at his home in Bristol to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the age of 54 after a courageous battle with colon cancer, surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.

Mike was born to Tom and Audie (Diamond) Downs on February 15, 1967 in Washington, IN. After graduating from Shoals High School (’85), Mike attended Indiana University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business (’89) and later went on to be the President of Polygon Company in Walkerton, IN. IU is also where he met the love of his life, Shannon. Together they have three daughters: Alexandra, Chloe, and Abigail.

Spending time with his family and friends in the great outdoors brought Mike great joy in life. He loved to camp, cycle, hike, read, spend time on the river, and cheer on his Hoosiers. He was the dad who never missed an opportunity to root for his daughters in a sporting or school event, and never ceased to tell them how proud he was of them.  

Mike’s greatness is evident in his love for Christ and his love and commitment to his wife, daughters, and family. He is survived by his parents, Tom and Audie Downs; his wife, Shannon (Haines); their children Alexandra Melisse of New Orleans, Louisiana, Chloe Lorraine of Fort Worth, Texas, and Abigail Kay; his brother, Darin (Natalie) Downs of Davidson, North Carolina; his niece Elizabeth (Austin) Jacobsen; Mother-in-law, Trina (Kevin) Haines-Mull; Brother-in-law, Steven Haines and nephew Will Haines.

Through Mike’s business travels to China he developed a passion for a special needs orphanage in Xiamen. If you would like to honor Mike with a donation in his memory donations can be made to Global Horizons- FH (Future Hope) P.O. Box 60459 Egan, MN 55164-0059.

Friends may visit with family from 4 to 8pm on Wednesday June 2nd at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home, 403 W Franklin St, Elkhart, IN 46516. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Thursday June 3, at Trinity on Jackson, 2715 E Jackson Blvd, Elkhart, IN 46516.  The Rev. Karen Koelsch will officiate and burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery in Bristol.

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