Michael M. Lyon

With his wife and children by his side, Michael M. Lyon, 66, of Dolgeville, New York, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025 after an unbeatable, yet courageous fight with ALS. 

Michael was born November 4, 1958 in Little Falls, New York and was the son of the late, Raymond and Beverly (Nichols) Lyon. Michael was the second of three children.

Michael met his high school sweetheart Sherie (VanGorder) Lyon and later graduated from Dolgeville Central in 1977. It was the hottest day of that year when Mike and Sherie were married on July 17th of 1982. 

On Guidebord Road in Norway, they welcomed their first child, Bethany in 1983. In 1989, their son, Shane was born and then in 1993, another son, Evan. The family of five spent the next 12 years on Irondale Road in Salisbury Center, New York.

Michael furthered his education and graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College with an Honors Degree in Respiratory Therapy. Mike spent his next 45 years at Little Falls Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist and Director of Respiratory Therapy until his retirement in 2021. Throughout his career as Respiratory Therapist, Mike spent countless hours caring for patients with ALS. Mike was also a Homecare Respiratory Therapist for both Upstate and Lincare companies for 14 years. 

The best childhood memories were made with his family at Morehouse Lake, where his parents, and his sister, Denise and brother, Doug spent their childhood. Later, new memories were made with Sherie and their 3 children, camping at Piseco and The St. Lawrence River, countless days of fishing, hunting and boating, The five would spend hours playing cards and cooking. When his children were all at home, Sundays were always a special family day. Mike would wake up early and start cooking breakfast and would wait and watch each of his children get out of bed to the sweet smell of bacon and fried eggs. Sundays always ended with a ride in the country to look for deer or bear, while the three kids in the back seat watched Mom and Dad holding hands only letting go to change the radio station. 

Mike’s love of music started as a child, when he learned to play the keyboard and bass guitar. In the early 80’s he was a member of the Curtiss Road Blues Band. Dad continued his love of music teaching his children and grandchildren how to play the keyboard and guitar. After his retirement, Mike had made the living room his very own bass guitar studio.

Mike had four grandchildren, Adrian (Lyon), Trenton (Kleist), Jaxon (Lyon) and Bentley (Lyon). All four boys were the apples of his eye. Grandpa taught them manners, how to fish, how to hunt, to be patient and to do good in school. The boys could always count on Grandpa Mike for sound advice, a fun day hiking and a history lesson. At the end of the day with Grandpa, there was always a Big Bear Hug.

Michael served on the Respiratory Board of Directors at Mohawk Valley Community College. A lifetime member of the Dolgeville Rod and Gun Club and the Salisbury Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club.

Mike leaves behind his wife Sherie of 43 years; three children, Bethany Kleist and her husband, Jess, of Fairfield, NY, Shane Lyon and his wife, Tara, of Dolgeville, NY and Evan Lyon and his wife, Chelsea, of Dolgeville, NY; his four beloved grandsons, Adrian, Trenton, Jaxon and Bentley; father-in-law Luke VanGorder II, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Diane (VanGorder) and husband, James Hicks of Madison, NY, Luke VanGorder III (Chuck) of Little Falls, NY and Allen VanGorder of Little Falls, NY; cherished siblings, Denise (Lyon) and husband Dr. Roger Bowers of Greer, SC, Douglas and Linda Lyon of Groveland, NY; special nieces and nephews, Leslie Bowers, of Utica, NY, Rebecca Bowers and husband, Harry Hill, Loriel Bowers of Greenville, South Carolina, Matthew Bowers of Worcester MA, Ali Smetanka and her husband, Jacob Lyon of Groveland, NY, Sean of Walworth, NY, Lawrence (Scott) Nagele and his wife, Courtney of Dolgeville, NY, Thomas Hicks, Tasha Hicks, Tiffany and Trevor Waterman of Madison, NY. Mike also leaves behind his cherished and best friend, Gary Seeley; Mike's life-long friends, Bruce Bouthillier, Kirk Young, Jeff Barton, Brian Dineen, Rick Ingrick, Dave Barnes, Todd Smith, Windber Rudi and countless other precious friends.

Michael is predeceased by his parents Raymond and Beverly Lyon, his paternal Grandparents Murray and Dorothy Lyon and his maternal Grandparents Howard and Viola Nichols, he is also predeceased by his mother-in-law, MaryAnn VanGorder.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329, Cremations and Funerals. A memorial service will be held immediately following the calling hours at 3 p.m. also at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Hediger officiating. A Celebration of Life Reception will follow at the Dolgeville Rod and Gun Club, 697 Peckville Road, Dolgeville, New York 13329, where family and friends will join together to share in memories, friendships, music and celebrating Mike’s life. All are welcome to join.

To leave a message of sympathy for Mike’s family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for his online memory book.

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