Michael Stiles

In the early hours of Sunday, July 17, 2022, Michael R. Stiles, loving husband, brother and father of three, passed away at the age of 59. Mike was born on June 26,1963 in Norfolk, VA.  In January of 2015 he married the love of his life, Doaty, who lovingly cared for him through his illness.  Mike was a hard working man who at times worked more than one job to provide for his family.  In his later years Mike worked in water treatment facilities working his way up the ladder from a Class 4 to a Class 1 water treatment operator. He was a Team Leader at Chesterfield County Utilities when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Mike was an outgoing person, often the life of the party.  He was an avid fisherman, known to drop a line in the smallest of ponds. While he didn't mind pulling in the big fish he especially enjoyed fishing with the little ones, his kids, nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed listening to music as well as playing music with friends and family.  He was known to host many cookouts which would lead to a musical evening of musicians strumming their guitars and singing around a bonfire.  No doubt there'd be a few John Prine tunes played.  Both fishing and playing music brought a lot of joy to Mike's heart.  Please know, if you accompanied him in either of these the joy in his heart was tenfold.  Mike was an intelligent being who enjoyed playing words with friends, doing crossword puzzles and had the ability to retain trivia nuggets as well as memorizing numbers. He was an animal lover.  His dogs, Penny and Rosie, even though they crossed rainbow bridge, were the most recent dogs to secure a place in his heart.  His humor was quick witted and was quite entertaining, one of the many reasons he seemed to draw a crowd around him wherever he went.  Mike's sense of humor was ever present even in the most advanced stages of his illness.  He often spoke of the great love and admiration he had for Doaty.  She became his rock where he was once hers.  He also spoke often about the love he had for his children and his eyes would light when he talked about his grandchildren.  "Grandpa" was one of his favorite titles. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Earl Stiles and his mother, Elaine Hoggard.  He is survived by his wife, Doaty; his three children and their children, daughter,r Liz (Adrienne and Brianna Parker); son, Laine (Bently Strickland) and daughter, Amber (Amyiah Wilson); his sisters, Michelle McMillian, Cathy Baldwin (Jeff), Karla Stiles and Becky Stiles; and his stepmother, Melinda Stiles.  Mike also has many nieces and nephews, Jennifer Homan, Jesse Claud, Jeff Whisenant, Chris Whisenant, Shannon Whisenant, Kimberly Plyer, Justin Plyer, Michael Newsome, Kenny Newsome,  Avery Stiles, CJ Baldwin and Danielle Baldwin he loved as his own. The family would love to learn more about Mike through your perspectives.  We hope you will consider saving this date, Saturday, November 19, 2022 to join us in celebrating Mike's life with music, food and good company.  Just the way Mike would like it.  Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Crater Road Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes 3935 S. Crater Road Petersburg, Virginia 23805