LTC(R) Michael J. Landers, 55, of Orrville, died in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 22, 2014.
He was born in Orrville on March 15, 1959, the son of Charles F. "Rocky" and Mary Eileen (Nicholas) Landers, and was united in marriage to Lisa Gray on Feb. 23, 1985, in Wooster. She survives.
Mike was a graduate of Orrville High School, class of 1977, and was honored to be selected as an outstanding Orrville Alumni in 2010. In 1984, he graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in biology. He joined the ROTC program at Akron University in 1982, and was commissioned an Army Infantry Officer in 1984. He retired in January 2013, ending a career of 29 years.
During his military service, he was deployed nine times, and served during Desert Storm, the Iraq War, as well as Afghanistan conflicts. He earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3rd Award), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), South West Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Expert Infantryman Badge, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Kuwait, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge -- Bronze, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
LTC Landers commanded at the platoon and company levels, and served as a brigade executive officer and commandant of the Northern Warfare Training Center, Fort Greeley, Alaska. He had been a staff officer at the battalion, brigade and division levels.
Mike furthered his education and earned a master's degree in business administration at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. His military education included: The Air Assault Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Infantry Office Advance Course, Infantry Office Basic Course and Jumpmaster Course.
After retirement, he worked as a civilian contractor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the Chief Battlestaff Commander for Vinnell Arabia.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Lisa, are daughters, Rachel Landers, a student at the University of Louisville, and Colleen Landers, a student at Kent State University; his mother, Mary Eileen Landers of Orrville; brothers, Terry Landers of Orlando, Fla., Patrick (Maryjo) Landers of Stow and Kevin (Beth) Landers of Orrville; and a sister, Mary (Gene) Godward of Cuyahoga Falls.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by an infant son, John Hiram Landers.
Mike truly was a man of honor -- to his God, his country and his family. His presence in our lives was a blessing, one we will carry in our hearts forever.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Orrville, with Fathers Ronald Turek and Paul Wysocki as celebrants. Burial with military honors will be held in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman at 1 p.m.
Friends may call Sunday, April 6, 2014, from 3-7 p.m. at Auble Funeral Home, 512 E. Oak St., Orrville,. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675.
He was born in Orrville on March 15, 1959, the son of Charles F. "Rocky" and Mary Eileen (Nicholas) Landers, and was united in marriage to Lisa Gray on Feb. 23, 1985, in Wooster. She survives.
Mike was a graduate of Orrville High School, class of 1977, and was honored to be selected as an outstanding Orrville Alumni in 2010. In 1984, he graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in biology. He joined the ROTC program at Akron University in 1982, and was commissioned an Army Infantry Officer in 1984. He retired in January 2013, ending a career of 29 years.
During his military service, he was deployed nine times, and served during Desert Storm, the Iraq War, as well as Afghanistan conflicts. He earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3rd Award), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), South West Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Expert Infantryman Badge, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Kuwait, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge -- Bronze, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
LTC Landers commanded at the platoon and company levels, and served as a brigade executive officer and commandant of the Northern Warfare Training Center, Fort Greeley, Alaska. He had been a staff officer at the battalion, brigade and division levels.
Mike furthered his education and earned a master's degree in business administration at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. His military education included: The Air Assault Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Infantry Office Advance Course, Infantry Office Basic Course and Jumpmaster Course.
After retirement, he worked as a civilian contractor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the Chief Battlestaff Commander for Vinnell Arabia.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Lisa, are daughters, Rachel Landers, a student at the University of Louisville, and Colleen Landers, a student at Kent State University; his mother, Mary Eileen Landers of Orrville; brothers, Terry Landers of Orlando, Fla., Patrick (Maryjo) Landers of Stow and Kevin (Beth) Landers of Orrville; and a sister, Mary (Gene) Godward of Cuyahoga Falls.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by an infant son, John Hiram Landers.
Mike truly was a man of honor -- to his God, his country and his family. His presence in our lives was a blessing, one we will carry in our hearts forever.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Orrville, with Fathers Ronald Turek and Paul Wysocki as celebrants. Burial with military honors will be held in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman at 1 p.m.
Friends may call Sunday, April 6, 2014, from 3-7 p.m. at Auble Funeral Home, 512 E. Oak St., Orrville,. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675.
LTC(R) Michael J. Landers, 55, of Orrville, died in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 22, 2014.
He was born in Orrville on March 15, 1959, the son of Charles F. "Rocky" and Mary Eileen (Nicholas) Landers, and was united in marriage to Lisa Gray on Feb. 23, 1985, in Wooster. She survives.
Mike was a graduate of Orrville High School, class of 1977, and was honored to be selected as an outstanding Orrville Alumni in 2010. In 1984, he graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in biology. He joined the ROTC program at Akron University in 1982, and was commissioned an Army Infantry Officer in 1984. He retired in January 2013, ending a career of 29 years.
During his military service, he was deployed nine times, and served during Desert Storm, the Iraq War, as well as Afghanistan conflicts. He earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3rd Award), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), South West Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Expert Infantryman Badge, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Kuwait, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge -- Bronze, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
LTC Landers commanded at the platoon and company levels, and served as a brigade executive officer and commandant of the Northern Warfare Training Center, Fort Greeley, Alaska. He had been a staff officer at the battalion, brigade and division levels.
Mike furthered his education and earned a master's degree in business administration at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. His military education included: The Air Assault Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Infantry Office Advance Course, Infantry Office Basic Course and Jumpmaster Course.
After retirement, he worked as a civilian contractor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the Chief Battlestaff Commander for Vinnell Arabia.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Lisa, are daughters, Rachel Landers, a student at the University of Louisville, and Colleen Landers, a student at Kent State University; his mother, Mary Eileen Landers of Orrville; brothers, Terry Landers of Orlando, Fla., Patrick (Maryjo) Landers of Stow and Kevin (Beth) Landers of Orrville; and a sister, Mary (Gene) Godward of Cuyahoga Falls.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by an infant son, John Hiram Landers.
Mike truly was a man of honor -- to his God, his country and his family. His presence in our lives was a blessing, one we will carry in our hearts forever.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Orrville, with Fathers Ronald Turek and Paul Wysocki as celebrants. Burial with military honors will be held in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman at 1 p.m.
Friends may call Sunday, April 6, 2014, from 3-7 p.m. at Auble Funeral Home, 512 E. Oak St., Orrville,. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675.
He was born in Orrville on March 15, 1959, the son of Charles F. "Rocky" and Mary Eileen (Nicholas) Landers, and was united in marriage to Lisa Gray on Feb. 23, 1985, in Wooster. She survives.
Mike was a graduate of Orrville High School, class of 1977, and was honored to be selected as an outstanding Orrville Alumni in 2010. In 1984, he graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in biology. He joined the ROTC program at Akron University in 1982, and was commissioned an Army Infantry Officer in 1984. He retired in January 2013, ending a career of 29 years.
During his military service, he was deployed nine times, and served during Desert Storm, the Iraq War, as well as Afghanistan conflicts. He earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3rd Award), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), South West Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Expert Infantryman Badge, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal -- Kuwait, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge -- Bronze, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
LTC Landers commanded at the platoon and company levels, and served as a brigade executive officer and commandant of the Northern Warfare Training Center, Fort Greeley, Alaska. He had been a staff officer at the battalion, brigade and division levels.
Mike furthered his education and earned a master's degree in business administration at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. His military education included: The Air Assault Course, Combined Arms Service Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Infantry Office Advance Course, Infantry Office Basic Course and Jumpmaster Course.
After retirement, he worked as a civilian contractor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as the Chief Battlestaff Commander for Vinnell Arabia.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Lisa, are daughters, Rachel Landers, a student at the University of Louisville, and Colleen Landers, a student at Kent State University; his mother, Mary Eileen Landers of Orrville; brothers, Terry Landers of Orlando, Fla., Patrick (Maryjo) Landers of Stow and Kevin (Beth) Landers of Orrville; and a sister, Mary (Gene) Godward of Cuyahoga Falls.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by an infant son, John Hiram Landers.
Mike truly was a man of honor -- to his God, his country and his family. His presence in our lives was a blessing, one we will carry in our hearts forever.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Orrville, with Fathers Ronald Turek and Paul Wysocki as celebrants. Burial with military honors will be held in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman at 1 p.m.
Friends may call Sunday, April 6, 2014, from 3-7 p.m. at Auble Funeral Home, 512 E. Oak St., Orrville,. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kan. 66675.
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