Michael E. Depew, Sr. age 68, of Jennings, FL. passed away Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Good Samaritan Center in Dowling Park following an extended illness.

Mike was born in Victorville, California on October 23, 1952 to the late Lawrence "Sarge" Depew and Mary Van Campen Depew. His father was in the military and Mike had the opportunity to travel stateside as well as overseas with his father. His father retired from Moody Air Force Base and they moved to Hamilton County, FL. Mike met his wife Denise in high school and the two were married in September of 1972. He began his first career working at the Holiday Inn in Jennings and worked his way up in motel and restaurant management. He proved himself capable in his field and was given the chance to live and travel throughout Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and North Carolina, meeting many interesting people along the way before ending up back in Jennings on the farm where Denise grew up. Together, Mike and Denise built their dream log cabin in the country. Mike loved being outdoors and without question loved anything to do with the Florida Gators. In 1994, Mike began his second career with the Department of Corrections at Hamilton Correctional Institution. It was there that he retired (Sgt.) after 18 years when his diagnosis of early onset of Alzheimer's came. He and Denise toughed it out together at home for a number of years but eventually the difficult decision had to be made and, to keep him safe, Mike was moved to Good Samaritan Center Memory Care Unit where he spent the last four years. As long as his health permitted, Mike was an active member at Burnham Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Denise Deas Depew; his son and daughter-in-law, Michael E. Depew, Jr. (Christina) of Virginia; one daughter, Suzanne Depew Wilson of Jennings; two sisters, Loretta McKeehan, Tennessee and Barbara Harper, Georgia; his mother-in-law who was like a mother to him, Margaret Houle and his three sisters-in-law who cared for him as if he were their very own brother, Connie Moore (Jimmy), Donna Deas and Mary Wachob (Darwin). And last but not least by any means is his grandson Camron Wilson who loved Mike with all of his heart.

A committal service was held on Friday, May 21, 2021 at Burnham Christian Church near Jennings.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Good Samaritan Center Memory Care Unit, P.O. Box  4332 Dowling Park, FL. 32064 in Mike's memory.

Covid prevented Denise and the family from visiting Mike over the last 14 months like they would have under normal circumstances but the family never questioned his quality of care at Good Samaritan Center. The family would like to thank all of his caretakers and for the many friends and family for all of their support and loving care over the past four years.