Michael Wade

Michael “Mike” Stephen Wade, 76, of Granger, Indiana, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025, at 2:25 p.m. surrounded by loved ones at the St. Joseph Mishawaka Medical Center.

Mike was born on June 2, 1949, in Huntingburg, Indiana, to Clarence W. and Marjorie M. (Leathco) Wade. Mike graduated from Holland High School in Indiana. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Indiana State University, where he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. From 1985-2004 he was married to Teresa Brouillette. In 1992, he became a father to daughter Megan Wade. He married Amanda Reasonover on July 2, 2011, in Niles, Michigan.

Mike was a dedicated high school choir director at Crown Point High School and Elkhart Memorial High School where his choirs advanced to the final round of state-level competition on numerous occasions. He often appeared as guest conductor at middle and high school level choral festivals and frequently served as an adjudicator at both solo/ensemble and choral contests. In his capacity as Music Coordinator for the Crown Point Community School Corporation, he spearheaded creation of the string/orchestra program.

Mike served on the boards of Indiana Music Educators Association and Indiana Choral Directors Association. In his role as President of the American Choral Directors Association’s Central Division, he presided over the 1986 Division Convention, served on the national board, and later served as Division Archivist.

Mike’s life-long love of singing led him to be actively involved in local choral ensembles and community theater productions. He was a charter member of Playmakers in Crown Point. He was also a member of the South Bend Chamber Singers and St. Joseph Camerata Singers. Mike served as the choir director for over 30 years at First Congregational Church in Elkhart.

In retirement, he directed the Elkhart Community Chorus for several years. He also continued to share his love for music by teaching private voice lessons at Elkhart Memorial and Penn High Schools as well as teaching as an adjunct professor at Indiana University South Bend, Valparaiso University, and Saint Mary’s College at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Amanda A. Reasonover-Wade; his daughter, Megan K. Wade (John Orlando) of St. Louis, Missouri; his sister, Diana Scales of Huntingburg; his brother, Arnold (Rae) Wade of Florham Park, New Jersey, and his brother, Doug Wade (Wendy Bynum) of Goshen, New York. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David Wade; his sister-in-law, Jean Wade; and brother-in-law, Chuck Scales.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Arthritis Foundation.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on Saturday, November 1st at St. Paul's United Methodist Church (405 West Beardsley Avenue Elkhart, Indiana 46514) where family, friends, former students, and colleagues will gather to honor his memory.

All are welcome for the visitation at noon and the service at 1pm.