Michael Warth

Michael Frances David Warth was born to Henry Orville and RoseAnn (Girard) Warth in Burlington, Iowa.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother RoseAnn Warth, and his siblings:

Kim (John) Knopp, Montgomery, Texas

Sheryl Maxwell, Doral, Florida

Scott (Deb) Warth, Spillville, Iowa

Kris Warth-Cobb, North Liberty, Iowa

Michael was preceded in death by his father Henry Warth.

Thoughts from Michael’s COC family

Michael Frances Warth, proudly self-named Bubba…..

Mike was a very endearing individual.  He was the type of guy that you couldn’t help but like – you know, the guy you think of with a smile on your face and while shaking your head.  Mike had a big personality that was quickly evident after merely meeting him.  Mike was soft hearted – often talked about his mom, dad, and sister as well as nephews – he was sad when others around him were downtrodden. Sometimes he cried actual tears when he was upset.  He also sometimes “fake cried” to get attention and a side hug.  When you knew nothing was actually wrong and replied with a smile and telling him “You’re ok” he would typically smile or giggle pretty quickly.   Mike was funny – he and his antics had a lot of us laughing, if not at the time, then a short time later.   Michael could also be as stubborn as they come but typically a different or maybe more favored staff could get him to come around.  If not, well then, we just had to wait it out.   Mike always had his “friend” (his hand) and often joked around with us about it.  I know I always helped him to “toss him out the window (into the snow or into the rain or into the sunshine” or into his pocket.  Sometimes that just egged him on. He loved all things Elephants, Santa Claus, and Archie (comic

books).  His collection of all of these was quite extensive and he kept his Christmas décor up year-around.  Mike liked winter!  Yes, seriously!  He was among the first to grab some snow, making a snowball and giving it a good toss at people.  He enjoyed playing in the snow and rumor has it that he would lay face- first in the snow to make his snow angels.   Staff fondly remember taking him outside in the snow while using a housemate’s plastic “emergency sled” – one which was long and had some depth to it so he wouldn’t fall out – and just loved getting pulled around on a ride.  As I said, Mike loved Santa.  As early as January he could be seen imitating Santa with a “ho-ho-ho”.  He loved to wear his Santa hat and Christmas clothing like novelty t-shirts.  Of course, he loved presents.  If I remember correctly, he may be one of the people who would sometimes unwrap everyone’s gift under the tree days prior to Christmas?   Mike was onery.  Mike really had a knack for throwing things.  He demonstrated this in anger at times but most of the times in fun.  He loved to throw snowballs, sometimes rocks, and on occasion much larger more menacing items, and most often with a great big smile followed by a laugh.  Mike had a particularly keen sense of when he could “get by with things”.  He was an opportunist.  In particular a housemate moved into what had been his bedroom, while he moved to the next room over.  I’m not sure if it was the housemate or the fact that the person took “his room” but he sure knew how to sneak in there to irritate them and or give their hair a quick tug at times. 

Mike loved to hang loved to hang out in “his chair” in the living room, frequently asking for his Wizard of Oz movie.  I know a couple of times some of us had to scramble to find replacement Wizard of Oz movies when his last one fizzled out.  We got smart and always had more than 1 back up Wizard of Oz movie for Michael.   Mike taught us all to love the simple things in life and not take anything too seriously.  Mike loved people and people loved Mike.  He will be dearly missed by the many staff former who knew him over his 23 years at COC, present staff, housemates, co-workers, and friends at COC. 

Michael, Thank-you for the joy you shared with all of us!

Now he can drink all the pop he wants!

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.