Capt. Michael Duane Dershem Sr.

He was living at Iris Memory Care of Nichols Hills, Oklahoma, during his last 6½ months of life, and was surrounded by his loved ones upon his passing.

Michael was born October 14, 1945, in Richmond, Indiana, to Lewis Henry Dershem and Marilyn Jean (Lichtenfels) Dershem. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1964 and went on to obtain his Bachelor’s Degree in History/Political Science at Manchester College in Indiana in 1968. Always eager to explore new things, between June 1969 and December 1971, Michael tried his hand at medical research at The University of Chicago and was a hospital administrator at the Swedish American Hospital before he joined the Air Force in December 1971.

During his time in the Air Force, Michael was a Navigator/Bombardier on the B-52 Bomber at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, a Weapons Systems Operator (WSO) on the F-111 Aardvark at Upper Heyford, England, and Cannon AFB, New Mexico, and E-3 Sentry (AWACS) at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. He started his Air Force career in Illinois, and after moving to Texas, California, Arkansas, South Dakota, Idaho, England, New Mexico (during which time he also earned his Master’s Degree in Accounting at Eastern New Mexico University), and Oklahoma, he retired in December 1991. Upon his Air Force retirement, Michael expanded his vast knowledge by attending law school and earning his Juris Doctor from OCU in 1991.

Michael dabbled as an attorney until September 1999. While he was passionate in this field, he realized it was difficult running a solo law firm and most criminals aren’t the best at paying their bills. He always wanted to help others and said he’d do that work for free but when it came down to it, he needed a paycheck. He closed up shop and became a substitute teacher at Central Junior High in Moore, Oklahoma, where they asked him to join them in a permanent role. Michael was a part of the Moore Public School System until his retirement in May 2019. During his tenure, he coached soccer and taught many different subjects. He enjoyed teaching and made connections with many of his students.

Upon retirement, Michael enjoyed a few good years of living before little by little, his ‘Jeopardy smart’ brain was taken away from him. If you knew Michael, you knew he could be stubborn – and he kept that up until the end. His stubbornness was also endearing and netted him many staff friends at Iris. He was also blessed with a quick wit and the ‘Dershem humor’ - dad jokes and puns flew out of his mouth at lightning speed.

Michael was a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman, Oklahoma, and was attending weekly with his daughter up until he moved into Iris. He was an avid sportsman and former marathon runner, used to have numerous horses and other farm-like animals, he played soccer, hiked, camped, walked his dogs, and loved watching anything OU and the OKC Thunder. Michael was a music lover, played numerous instruments (tenor saxophone, drums, guitar, banjo, harmonica, etc.), and was even part of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic for a few years.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Lewis Dershem. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Dershem of Richmond, Indiana; three children: Aaron Dershem and his wife, Molly, of Mesquite, Texas, Duane Dershem of Moore, Oklahoma, and Lindsay Skinner and her husband, Matt, and their son Landen of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; brother, John Dershem and his wife, Julie, of Richmond, Indiana; three nephews; one niece; numerous cousins; and many other loved ones and friends.

We will celebrate Mike's life on what would be his 80th birthday!!!

When: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 4:00pm-5:00pm.

Where: The Library in St. Luke’s Mansion, 201 NW 14th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103 (the corner of NW 14th and Robinson)

This will be a come and go event with light refreshments and Rev. Josh Attaway speaking. We will sing Happy Birthday, have a slideshow with pictures of Mike throughout his life, and there will be a microphone in case anyone would like to say a few words.