Obituary of Michael Karickhoff

Dr. Michael Karickhoff, 86, died Saturday, December 31, at Waterford Health Center in Kokomo, Indiana. Mike was born in Buckhannon, West Virginia, on February 26, 1930, the son of O. Earle Karickhoff and Myrtle Mauzy Karickhoff. Mike was predeceased by his parents, sister Elizabeth Summers, niece Betsy Smith, and nephew Bradley Smith. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Susan Given Karickhoff; his son, Michael H. Karickhoff and wife Kelly of Kokomo, Indiana; and his daughter, Susan Elizabeth Pawlicki of St. Joseph, Illinois. Also surviving are six granddaughters and nine great-grandchildren. Mike graduated from Buckhannon-Upshur High School in 1948 and West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1952. He received a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland in 1955 and earned a PhD from Purdue University in 1958. He worked for E.I. DuPont as a polymer chemist in Circleville, Ohio, until 1970, when he became a Research Chemist for the Sherwin-Williams Company in Chicago until his retirement in 1990. Mike was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon, the West Virginia Wesleyan College Emeritus Club, the Kappa Alpha Order, the American Chemical Society, and the West Virginia Fossil Club. Friends will be received Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 10-11 AM the funeral hour with the Rev. Steve Meadows officiating. Burial will follow in the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Crosslines, 68 College Avenue, Buckhannon, West Virginia, 26201. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.