Michael E. Strickland, 50

Michael E. Strickland, 50 of West Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on Friday September 20, 2013 at SOMC Hospice after a long and courageous battle with Muscular Dystrophy. He was born October 29, 1962 in Portsmouth to Earl  and Traudi Eckerl Strickland. Michael was a 1981 graduate of Portsmouth West High School, a graduate of Shawnee State College and he also attended Wright State University. Even though his disease resulted in severe physical handicaps, which worsened progressively over time, Michael was as inspiration to all who knew him. He maintained a delightful sense of humor, a winning smile and a positive attitude, regardless of the difficulties presented to him by the illness that ultimately took his life. He was a man of uncommon kindness, compassion and high intelligence, and used the qualities productively and creatively. Many people were attracted to Michael during his lifetime and for good reason. He was extremely interesting individual, with an engaging personality. He knew how to make friends and keep friends. And in various ways he helped many of those friends, the needy ones, quietly and without fanfare. His life, with all of its disease driven problems, was indeed a remarkable affirmation of the power of the human spirit. He will be remembered within the Portsmouth community for a long time to come.

Michael is survived by his parents Earl and Traudi Strickland, a sister Heidi Cropper, a niece Brittany Cropper and his great niece Heavyn Cropper along with many friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday September 24, 2013 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Pastor Ralph Clay officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8:00 PM on Monday and 1 hour prior to the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made to the Scioto County Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association or to SOMC Hospice. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com