Mike graduated from Ralston High School and immediately started his career in upholstery and design at Dick’s Auto Trim on South 13th Street in Omaha. His passion for cars trickled into a whole new world when Mike started working at Duncan Aviation in 1982. He played an instrumental part in starting their Paint and Interior shop in addition to teaching many others his talents and tricks. Mike moved his love for aviation with each new career chapter and eventually landed in Marble Falls for over 20 years where he was Vice President of Operations for Jetran.
One of Mike’s greatest gifts was the birth of his daughter Michela on November 21, 1986 but that did not stop him from attending the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma football game the following day. When asked what he loved the list goes far on beyond the Huskers. When he was not working on airplanes he enjoyed deep sea fishing, pheasant and deer hunting, Nebraska Dirt track racing, anyone that would talk politics and more recent found love of the Texas Stars Hockey games. He also LOVED food; most friends and family knew him for his crawfish boils or the fact that he knew the best places to go.
Mike poured his heart and soul into aviation and because of that he got to hand pick his prodigy. Brittney was more than a work colleague; she quickly became a part of the family and has been an instrumental part of Mike’s life for over a decade. Their friendship was based on trust and a passion for making things fly when everything else said “it’s not gonna happen”.
Mike and Cande started dating in 2020 and enjoyed hockey games and their jet skis. They also shared a love for their two little dogs Runza and Zina who had him wrapped around their paws.
Family members include his daughters Michela Winters (Travis Kamler), Brittney (Leslie) Free; grandchildren Ambree (Liam) Thill, Brogan and Cali Molnar; partner Candelaria Barrera; sister Tammy (Jerry) Seffron; brother Bob (Jean) Winters; nephews Randy and Jerry (Tricia Barber) Seffron, Jr., stepmother, Yvonne Winters, stepsister, Sheri Boyd, stepbrother, John Nottested. Preceded in death by his parents, stepsister, Michelle Wehling
Visitation one hour prior to service.
Funeral service: 11:00 am Saturday, August 8, 2026, Ceresco United Methodist Church, 421 N. 2nd Street. Burial will be at 2:30 pm at Resurrection Cemetery, 7800 W. Center Rd., Omaha, NE.
Memorials to the church.