Obituary: Michael “Mike” L. Irish

7 days ago
3 min read

Michael “Mike” L. Irish, age 77, of De Pere, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026 at his home.

Mike was born on August 24, 1948 in Green Bay, son of the late Donald & Deloris (Kasten) Irish. He was a graduate of West De Pere high school, class of 1966. He furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, with his Bachelor Degree Major in Soil Science and Minor in Agronomy. And as he always said, “I have never learned enough. I am always being educated.” Mike enlisted in the United States Army and served our country from 1971 to 1977. He married Dana Haney in June of 1976 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ashwaubenon . They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this year. Mike was employed at a few places throughout his career; Lindsay Brothers Farm Equipment, Power Lawn Equipment, Brillion Iron Works Farm Equipment, and finishing his career at Landoll, retiring as the Senior Vice President in the Farm Equipment Division. He was very active in his community with the Brillion Lions Club and American Legion Post 126 of Brillion and volunteered at many events and social outings. Mike enjoyed hunting, woodworking, golfing, and especially fishing. His boys have stories upon stories of different places and experiences fishing with Dad. Above all, Mike loved his family, and he truly loved spending time with them. And they all knew he was having a really good time “if we could get him to do his laugh!”

Mike is survived by his love, Dana; their boys and spouses: Jeffrey (Julie) of Minoqua, Sean (Becky) of De Pere, Nathan (Barbara) of Stillwater, MN, Matthew (Leah) of Fargo, ND, and Thomas (Sarah) of De Pere; grandchildren: Tia, Noah, Chloe, Makotah, Bryan, Alex, Caleb, Logan, Isla, Eli, Ivy, and Everleigh; siblings: David (Mary) of Oconomowoc and Mark (Joanne) of Newport News, VA;

He is preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law; and sibling: Donna VanRossum.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026 at St. Bartholomew Lutheran Church in Brillion. Officiating will be Rev. Joshua Brandmahl. Military Honors will be accorded by the Becker, Bloedorn, Jensen Post American Legion Post 126 of Brillion. Private Family Burial will take place at a later date at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery in Ashwaubenon.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Pielhop Funeral Home, 215 S. Main St. in Brillion, WI 54110.

The visitation will continue on Monday morning at church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

In lieu of a flower arrangement, please consider supporting Mike’s legacy of service to country and community by donating to one of these organizations:

Lions Club, Brillion WI

℅ Gary Kabat, Treasurer

507 North Main Street

Brillion, WI 54110

Please use “Mike Irish Memorial Gift” as the memo line

Green Gives Back

1648 Rusk Street

De Pere, WI 54115

https://www.greengivesbackwi.org/donate

Gary Sinise Foundation

PO Box 40726

Nashville, TN 37204