Michael A. "Mike" Shada

Michael A. "Mike" Shada, 76 of Hastings, NE passed away on Friday, August 16, 2024, in Omaha, NE after a brief illness.

A gathering of friends and family will be held from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, August 21, at the Elks Club, 3050 East South Street, Hastings, NE. Inurnment will be held at Parkview Cemetery Columbarium in Hastings at a later date. Memorials may be made in Michael's name to the charity of your choice. 

Mike spent a large portion of his formative years in Hastings with his maternal grandparents, Andrew and Anna Fotopulos. Mike felt they shaped his values, most importantly how he treated others.

Mike served in the National Guard from 1968 to 1974. He was a police officer for the Hastings Police Department for five years. He took a special interest in children and was instrumental in establishing the Law Enforcement Youth Campout held every year at Hastings Lake. He resumed his law enforcement career with the Adams County Sheriff's Office. He retired from the Sheriff's Department in 2007 after 35 years of service.

Mike loved to work on various projects, such as cars, woodworking, welding, plumbing, remodeling, and electrical work, the man could literally do it all. Other hobbies included writing, visual arts, and riding his Harley. Known as "Big Mike" to the neighborhood children, they naturally gravitated to him.

Mike's generous and compassionate spirit was evident to everyone fortunate to meet him.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Eli Shada and Marti (Fotopulos) Shada-Seeley; first wife, Fayette (Bunde) Shada; infant daughter, Wendy Shada; sisters, Suzanne Shada and Angela (Shada) Hibbler.

Michael is survived by his wife, Deborah (Svoboda) Shada; daughter, Michele Holliday (Shorty); sister, Jody (Shada) Gifford; brothers, Paul Shada (Verlene) and George Shada (Mary); many nieces and nephews; step-father and dear friend, Darrell Seeley; and foster son, Kelly Kent.