Michael Ron Terpstra, age 53 of Largo, FL passed away peacefully in his home on May 11, 2021. He was born on December 15, 1967. Michael is survived by his Father, Ronald Terpstra of Harvard, IL, Sisters Heidi (Mark) McCloskey of Wisconsin Dells, WI, Rhonda (Todd) Burnett of Miranda CA, and Melissa Anderson of McHenry IL, several nieces and nephews and a large group of beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Terpstra.
Michael graduated from Harvard High School in Harvard, Illinois in 1986. He proudly joined the United States Navy in 1987 and served until 1993. After his release from service and moving to the Largo, FL area in 1995, Michael worked extremely hard and became a co-owner of Sunshine Filters. He loved his company and was so proud of the business they conducted.
Michael loved the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. He enjoyed camping, attending sporting events and music festivals with his friends, but his greatest passion and joy came from cooking, grilling and the smoking of foods. He was always looking for new recipes and a reason to have a get together with friends so he could feed them all. He truly saw it as an art and he was a master at it.
Over the years Michel went by many names, Mike, Tuna, and Mert, but through all stages of his life he was the same loving, generous and devoted son, brother, and friend who was so greatly loved by everyone who met him. His goofy personality and charisma was magnetic and everyone who has met him fell in love with him instantly. Michael’s passing is a devastating loss to all who love him, but our lives are so much richer for the time we had with him and the memories we have. Please continue to celebrate Michael and keep his memory alive. Love hard, laugh loud, and be kind.
A celebration of life for Michael will take place in Largo Florida at a later date.
We will miss you, Mert. All those great memories will never be forgotten. Rest well in heaven…
I remember the day Mike came home. I have so many memories of him. I was a friend of his Mother from 5th grade on. I was privileged to be chosen as his Godmother. I still have a picture in my mind as I was driving toward Lawrence to see Mike walking resolutely toward Chemung when he was in kindergarten. I stopped and picked him up, he was going home. I still laugh when I remember grading his Sociology final essay. His answer was quite long but as I read it I became confused. The final sentence said “ By now you have figured out I have no idea what I am talking about. Such a sense of humor! My sincere condolences to Ron and the lovely girls.❤️😭
May your sweet soul rest peacefully my dear Mert! 🙏😭💙
The world is not the same without your smile and presence. Thank you for making everyone you met feel loved and appreciated. I always looked forward to seeing your face. You will be so missed. Rest in peace.
My sincerest condolences to the family and all his many friends. I met Mert at Sneaks years ago with so many others. I developed an instant like and we became friends. Merts life was always a smile and a laugh. He was the sunshine to everyones life. Always smiling and laughing and it was infectious .. A huge part of my heart is sad but Mert will always be there. Rest In Paradise Mike “Mert” Terpstra until we laugh again..
I went to boot camp and “A” school with Mike. We roomed together in school. He was so funny and a great guy. Lost contact with him when we left school. This breaks my heart, especially knowing he was just up the road from me here in Florida. Godspeed my brother