Mike passed away April 2026 peacefully in his recliner with his book on his lap in Eureka.

He was born in 1950 in Tacoma, Wash., then moved with his family to Cutten in 1954.

Mike was 76 years old.

He is survived by two daughters: Brandy (Alberto) and grandchildren Kianna, Kylie and Krista; Jennifer (Jeff) and grandchildren Dustin, Brittani and Charlie and great-granddaughter Lennox.

Mike was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Beverly and Edward Schmidt, and his great-granddaughter Natalia.

Mike was the fourth of seven children: Jo Anne Oliveira (Clarence), Bruce Heddinger (Margi), Diane Wolff (Steve), Carol, Edward Jr., Luanne (Matt) and half-brother James Heddinger (Lisa).

A 1968 graduate of Eureka High School, Mike played football, basketball and was the lead trumpet in the Logger Band. As a teenager he started pit crewing for his dad’s stock car at Redwood Acres, as well as Nyle Henderson and Dave Henderson later. He really enjoyed being in the pits and helped many race teams throughout the years.

Mike was very proud to serve his country. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1969, where he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. During the Vietnam War he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star.

He worked in several jobs as a mechanic and foreman. He advanced and then retired from Humboldt County Public Works Division after 30+ years. Mike also owned and operated Babe’s Pizza in Cutten.

Mike had a passion for hunting. Starting with bird hunting at Tule Lake/Lower Klamath as a boy and then deer hunting with his family. He also was a conservationist in the forest, as many would see him on his quad picking up discarded aluminum cans that others had left unattended.

As a very active member of Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge, you would see him along with his brother and good friend Bruce, cooking crab for the fund-raising dinners. An example of this was with Boy Scout Troop 54 crab dinner that ensure the boys could attend summer camp.

He was always helping in the kitchen or wherever he was needed. He had a great sense of humor and helped “hold up the bar” with his friends. Mike was easy going, loved by many and will be missed

The family would like to thank his special friends Cheryl and Jan for their friendship and kind hearts.

Celebration of life will be held for Mike at the Elks Lodge on Saturday, October 24 at 2 p.m.