Jacob Eby Michael

Jacob Eby Michael, 81, on March 4, 2022 ran into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and heard the words, "Well, done my good and faithful servant!"

Jacob was a career missionary for 47 years and served in Zimbabwe, Brazil and Mozambique. He has left an incredible legacy of faith with many of his children and even grandchildren also serving as missionaries and ministers.

Jacob was born in Medway on May 14, 1940, the son of Kenneth and Vinnie Studebaker Michael.

He attended school in New Carlisle, graduating from Tecumseh High School in 1958. In his youth, he worked hard on the farm milking cows, showed cattle and hogs in 4-H and played the trumpet in the band (his children regretted this talent when they were teenagers wanting to sleep in!). Later he served as a medic in the armed services, attended OSU, Lincoln Christian College and Cincinnati Bible College and ministered to Homer Church of Christ, in Illinois. In 1975, he moved with his young family to Africa and found joy in teaching the Bible, helping the Africans learn new farming techniques and empowering national leaders by working himself out of a job. In 2014, he returned to the USA to retread (not retire!). He served as an elder, youth and evangelizing minister of Grape Grove Church of Christ and minister of other local congregations. He also enjoyed being an Uber driver (where he learned that marijuana smells a lot like skunk and is not a new perfume!). He will be missed for his cheesy smile, his naivety, faithfulness in all things, diligence in serving the Lord and others and his silly dad jokes..."Hey dad, 'WANNA BUY A DUCK?!??!!'"

Jacob is survived by his wife of 22 years, Jaynie Williamson Michael; his loving children: Nicia (Chris) Irwin, David (Kristina) Michael, Leah (Scott) Velasquez, Heidi, (Doug) Collins, Kyle Sharpe, Adam (Jennifer) Sharpe, Dustin (Emily) Sharpe, and Phylicia (David) Wilson; a host of 22 grandchildren: Andrew (Mariah), Joshua, Daniel (Noelia), Kaylea, Hannah, Taylor (Paige), Ellie, Karissa, Julia, Aiden, Kila, Leeland, Andrew, Brandon, Keenan, Isabel, Charles, Remmi, and Tripp; his siblings: Ann Woods, Doug (Phyllis) Michael and Nick(Marty) Michael; his 101 year old mother -in-law, Edna Pleasant of Kenton; along with multitude of nieces and nephews.

Jacob is reunited in heaven with his wife of 32 years, Nila Pleasant Michael, his parents, his brother, Jon Michael and a host of others that have gone on before.

Jacob liked to wrap presents in newspapers and he wanted to be buried in a pine box, so, in lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Grape Grove Church of Christ Missions: 6626 Grape Grove Rd. Jamestown, Ohio 45335. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 12th at Littleton Funeral Home in Sabina from 2-5 P.M. and also on Sunday, March 13th at Jamestown Church of Christ from 1:30-2:30, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life service.

Burial will take place on Monday at Wolfe Creek Cemetery in Kenton, OH.

Littleton Funeral Home, Sabina, has been entrusted with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacob Eby Michael, please visit our floral store.