On April 4th, Michael “Mike” Wyant (Senior) died asleep in the driver’s seat of his Volkswagen with the windows down and a warm breeze on his face.

I'm pretty sure there were only a couple other ways he'd rather have gone, honestly. I mean, he loved cars with a passion that left most of us (his kids) continuously confused.

Mike... Dad enjoyed building model cars and I know he held the times Katie joined him close to his heart. He also loved good barbeque with the sort of dedicated fervor you usually attribute to, well, a man in love, even though watching him eat that barbeque could be a trial.

Over the past years Dad had started talking about traveling, but by then his health was failing. There was a stroke, a heart attack, and on. Every time he'd seem to be getting back on his feet, another stroke. An allergic reaction. A heart attack.

Another stroke.

The only saving grace, I think, is that he kept getting to go home. He slept at home, had a life between hospital stays, got to see all of his kids grow up, and... he stayed local.

Dad and I took one trip together to Salem, Massachusetts. Salem was neat. The rest of the trip went terribly.

But we got this picture from that trip, so I guess it was worth it.

I've got a better version of that but it's portrait. Ah well.

Though he couldn't travel, Dad tried to set things up for his kids so that when he passed, everything would be taken care of. I do believe he passed "knowing" it was good.

Unfortunately, it is not good. Dad didn't leave a will, though he made his wants about how it'd all go known to whichever child happened to be near, so that's good, especially since we're all in agreement.

The life insurance policies we've found have either been closed out years ago, aren't applicable to his scenario, or haven't vested yet.

That means we are asking for help.

Very basic Memorial Service costs are $6,500 dollars so far. The unvested policy puts $2,400 toward that amount.

So, to get started we're hoping to raise $3,500 to cover the gap.

However, we'd also like to throw one good beach party as a celebration of life for our Dad. The sort of party he always tried to make happen, but never quite managed to pull together.

Our hope is look into catering this with a solid BBQ place, potentially rent a pavilion in case of weather, and maybe bring some music. As with all things right now apparently, that looks like it'll cost about $6,000 as well.

Getting those funeral costs covered would make the bigger stuff to come—trying to pay off the mortgage, car, debts he thought his life insurance policy would cover—a bit easier.

Thank you.

-Mike Wyant Jr.

General Goals:

Immediate Urgent Items:

Time-Sensitive Items:

Items Dad Thought He'd Have Paid Off:

Detailed Financial Breakdown

NOTE: This will be updated as I get firm numbers.

Urgent Items

Death Arrangements/Costs

Embalming & Other Preparation

Supervision

Facilities & Equipment

Automotive

Casket

Urns

Additional Services and Merchandise

Cash Advances

TOTAL CHARGES $6,715.00

Celebration of Life Projected Expenses (May/June):

Mike's Big BBQ

Items Dad Thought He'd Have Paid Off

Mortgage Pay-Off

Volkswagen Payoff

Outstanding Medical Bills

Utility Payments

Estate Lawyer Fees

House Repairs