Michael Clouse

Michael "Dion" Clouse

Michael "Dion" Clouse, 37, passed away on the evening of April 7, 2006 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Dion had battled leukemia and was surrounded at his bedside by his family and friends.

Dion was the son of Jim and Judy Clouse of Silver Lake and Janice and Ralph Nocktonick of Topeka. He grew up in Topeka where he graduated from Highland Park High School in 1987. He was an athlete and chronic jokester! In 1989, he joined the Topeka cable company, Cox Communications; he served as a supervisor up through this year. Despite his illness, he was still able to dictate a few commands from his hospital bed.

In 2000, he married Tracy Stephenson of Bartlesville, OK. Tracy always said Dion was a child at heart, so no one was more thrilled when Tracy and Dion had their son, Dagen. Dagen, who is now 2 ½ years old is a spitting image of his handsome father and will be an angelic reminder of our good friend Dion.

Dion had many hobbies and whenever he found a new one–he became completely enthralled with learning everything about it. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt pheasant and deer. He enjoyed barbecuing and smoking meats with his father-in-law Bob during family cook outs.

His favorite hobbies, however, were those he could share with Dagen.

Despite his hard fought battle against cancer, he was able to share some happy moments prior to leaving us. He was the honored patient at the P.F. Chang's Rock and Roll marathon in Arizona for Team in Training (an affiliation of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

Life dealt him some bad cards–but Dion never said, "Why me?" Instead, he fought through his illness, provided inspiration to everyone he met, and used his sense of humor to get him through.

Along with both sets of parents, Dion is survived by his wife, Tracy and son, Dagen; brothers, Troy Clouse, Nashville, Jason Allen, Kansas City; sisters Dara Clouse, Silver Lake, Megan Nocktonick, Topeka; Mother and father-in-law Bob and Cindy Stephenson; one niece–Carlin and and one nephew–Aidan.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at Fairlawn Heights Wesleyan Church. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel's Memorial Park Cemetery. Dion will lie in state after 2:00 p.m., Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. that evening.

In lieu of flowers, please help us find a cure for cancer by donating to the Leukemia and Lyphoma Society Kansas Chapter 555 N. Woodlawn Suite #113 Wichita, Kansas 67208. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.