Michael William Horton

Michael William Horton, 85, passed away November 11, 2022, and the funeral service will be Thursday, November 17 at 1:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona. Visitation will take place before the funeral from 10:00am – 1:00pm at LCC.

Mike was born March 11, 1937, the son of William and Marie Horton of Beaverdale, and he was a graduate of Johnston High School. He married Beverly Jean Schuessler on April 5, 1958 in what he would say was the most momentous day of his life. After earning his Master’s Degree from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) and a teaching stint in Mason City, he and his wife, Beverly, moved to Altoona in 1963 and lived there the rest of their lives.

Mike was a teacher, and he served the students of Southeast Polk Schools for 36 years before he officially retired in 1999. During his time at Southeast Polk, he founded the Iowa Industrial Arts Exposition, an annual event featuring students from across the state who have done exceptional work in the trades. He also coached a number of sports at Southeast Polk, and most notably he was the head girls’ golf coach. After his retirement from full-time teaching, he enjoyed substitute teaching and continuing to interact with students and staff. Throughout his time as a teacher and coach, he also dedicated his time to writing local sports news coverage for the Altoona Herald. His passion for sports and desire to lift up students for their successes was never more evident than in his positive approach to covering local high school sports.

Mike was an avid competitive golfer and sports fan. He and his wife, Beverly, competed together in husband and wife golf tournaments and enjoyed much success as a couple. Mike worked hard at the game and was an exceptional golfer as an individual, as he was club champion at Terrace Hills and Toad Valley multiple times, and at one time he held the course scoring records for both courses. As fans, Mike and Bev were tireless Southeast Polk supporters who were annual members of and leaders in the Southeast Polk Athletic Booster Club and Music Boosters. In 2010, Mike and Bev were inducted into the Southeast Polk Hall of Honor, an honor they cherished together. Mike was also named by his high school alma mater as a distinguished graduate and was inducted into the Johnston High School Hall of Fame.
His approachable demeanor and his genuine care for the well-being and happiness of others endeared him to students, staff, and members of the Southeast Polk community. His sense of humor and quick wit brought joy and laughter to those who knew him. These things were the hallmarks of who he was as a person. It is for these reasons that he was loved and appreciated by others and the reasons his family and closest friends miss him already.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Beverly.

Survivors include his daughter, Marty Mark (Steve), and sons, William (Melissa) and Joseph (Stacie). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Gina, Sara, Alex, Kennedy, Elijah, Davis, Cole, and Jackson, and nine great-grandchildren, Blake, Noah, Jace, Alexis, Wyatt, Harison, Ellis, Easton, and Sutton.

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