A special friend / Jason Van Houtte (close friend ) I have known Mike for many years. However, the number years cannot compare to the number of memories and laughs we shared. Whether they took place in the hallways, the classrooms, the Orion High School basketball games, a friend's house, a party, or on the "avenue" for a Saturday night summer drive, or even inside the old wooden walls of the basketball "barn" in Orion, the memories of the times I spent with Mike will never fade. Nor will the memory of Mike's infectious smile that we all knew so well. Mike was a wonderful friend and was a true family man. Even as a kid, family came first, as Mike often missed out on some "hanging out" time in order to spend time at numerous family birthday parties. So it is not a surprise that Mike continued to put family first in his married years. I am honored to have been a part of Mike and Debbie's wedding, and I am fortunate to have had some time with Mike recently to catch up on lost time. If I had known it would be my last time to talk with Mike, I would have made sure to tell a few more "remember the time when... " stories. I will miss Mike's friendship and I will miss the genuine, quality man that he was.
To Mike's family : My thoughts and prayers go out to you. And I want you to know that the great friend that Mike was is a direct result of the great family he has.
To Debbie and the kids : My thoughts and prayers are with you in this, the hardest of times. Yet, even in these tough days, I have witnessed incredible strength and courage in all of you. All of Mike's friends are here for you if you ever need anything.
Mike, thanks for the memories. I will miss you greatly.
Jason Van Houtte
In our thoughts and prayers! / Kristi &. Kelsey Rumler (friend of Logan ) Logan, You are in our thoughts and prayers! I cannot even imagine the pain you are going through. You're mom has to be very proud of you. This website is so wonderful. You are so smart & gifted but most of all, very kind! Thank you for being such a great friend to Kelsey. She hopes she can be there for you as well. What a beautiful family you have. I am sure you will be there for all of them, you have such a great heart. My heart goes out to you, Debbie & your whole family. Your family continues to be in my thoughts & prayers.
His Legacy Lives on... / Mary Jean Sedlock (Friend of Logan )
I may not have known Mike very well, in fact, the only way I knew him was in passing in church. But, the type of person that you are shows up in the lives that you touch. Those close to Mike have spoken again and again about the values he felt so strongly about - giving of yourself, the importance of religion, caring, and helpfulness. I consider Logan to be one of my very good friends, no matter how much we joke around otherwise. All of these things show up in him. He is a kind and caring friend, and has a sense of faith that I have truly come to admire. There is no greater evidence of the success of Mike's life than the way he raised his children. Even though I did not know Mike personally, I feel that I knew the kind of person he was, just by knowing Logan. Mike should be proud of the son that he raised, and I'm sure that he was. I offer my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Debbie, Logan, Jackie, Steve, and all of Mike's relatives. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless each and every one of you.
Love, Mary Jean
Friends/ Laurie Taets Thornburg (Friend) Mike was a wonderful person and I feel very blessed by knowing him. I hold in my heart alot of great memories of Mike during our Middle School and High School years and he will never be forgotten. I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to all of Mike's family at this difficult time. I am praying for all of you. Always remember Mike will be watching over you.
With Prayers / Dorothy DeMink (Friend of family ) This a message to Mike's family. When we were growing up My mother and his grandmother worked together at Sacred Heart.They are an exceptional family. Our thoughts and prayers are going out to them all in this trying time. In love with God, The DeMink Family
With deepest sympathy to Steve, Jackie and all of Mike's family & friends / Marilyn Burklund (Henry County Inv. Secretary, former Andover resident ) I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to all of you at this difficult time. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God bring you comfort and stay close by your side now and always. Marilyn (Duncalf) Burklund, Rhonda, Brandy, Sarah, Rachel and Bill
May St. Michael watch over you / Beth (DeBlieck) Noyd (Fellow police officer ) I worked with Mike's dad, Steve, and was a school classmate of Matt and Mary. Though I never knew Mike, being a fellow police officer, one always feels an ache down deep when hearing of such a sad occurrence. St. Michael, Patron Saint of Police Officers, has taken Mike home, to be a guardian angel for other officers who have yet to complete their "watch." My condolences go out to your family for the loss of someone so dear to you.
condolences/ Ronald, Wendy, Emma, And Marlana Kulig (church members )
we offer our sincere condolences to your family in these hard times. we are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless, Ron, Wendy, Emma, and Marlana Kulig
lewing@alwood.net/ Lynn Ewing (friend of Jennie, Mike's sister ) I have had the good fortune to hear about Mike and his wonderful family through his sister, Jennie. The entire Sottos family is one that I hold with such high regard. Logan, you are an outstanding young man and I pray that as you read the tributes to your father on the beautiful website you put together, you will be comforted by the fact that he impacted so many lives. You will all be in my prayers.
SHIPPING CLERK / TERESINA DOUGALL (NONE) I AM SO SORRY FOR HIS FAMILY ITS SO SAD I PRAY HIE WIFE IS A VERY STRONG WOMAN AND CAN GO ON WITHOUT HER LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER TO HER CHILDREN MY PRAYERS ARE SO WITH HER NOW AND FOREVER GOD BLESS HER AND HER WHOLE FAMILY LOVE TERRY AND THE GIRLS CHRISELDA AND ROCHELLE SO SAD
Sympathy/ Mike And Zobeida Laufenberg Dear family, We would like to extend our sincere sympathy to all the Sottos family for the loss of Michael. We are out of town until Sunday, however please know that you are ALL in our thoughts and prayers, Mike and Zobeida Laufenberg
In Memory Of Mike Sottos / Duane &. Cynthia Hunsinger (Strangers) We are very saddened to hear about Mike Sottos's death. He obviously was a VERY Caring, Giving ,Loving , Selfless individual. A person HAS to be that kind of person to be a Policeman. We didn't know Mike, BUT, we are thankful for his wife , allowing him to be a Policeman. It was hard on him to be a Policeman, having to make difficult choices everyday ,but it was also hard on his Family to give him to us , to be there for each of us everyday, as WELL as his Family. We will be praying for his Family AND fellow officers as they try to accept & deal with Mike's death. To ALL his fellow Officer Friends, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK & "ALWAYS" REMEMBER, THERE "ARE" THOSE OF US WHO "APPRECIATE" EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU VERY MUCH !! " THANK YOU !! " Sincerely
IN THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE... / DEBBIE BULGIN (THROUGH OUR PRECIOUS ANGELS )
I AM TRULY SO SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND NO WORDS CAN EXPRESS HOW I FEEL FOR YOU. I KNOW YOUR PAIN FOR I HAVE LOST SOMEONE VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART.
AFTER READING AND LOOKING AT MIKES WEB SITE AND THOSE BEAUTIFUL MEMORABLE FAMILY PICTURES. I CAN SEE THAT HE WAS TRULY A DEDICATED FAMILY MAN, AND THROUGH ALL OF WHAT I READ AND SAW I CAN SEE ALSO THAT YOU HAVE SHARED SOME GREAT HISTORY WITH MIKE, MADE UP OF BIG AND SMALL MOMENTS,RICH IN FAMILY LAUGHTER AND LOVE. WE KNOW IT'S NEVER EASY SAYING GOOD-BYE TO SOMEONE WHO WAS SUCH A VITAL PART OF YOUR LIFE. BUT THEIR CAN BE COMFORT IN KNOWING THAT HE LIVES ON IN YOUR MOSST CHERISHED MEMORIES,AND THROUGH THEM HIS SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS BE NEAR.
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THE LOSS OF MIKE MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. GOD BLESS.
DEAR MIKE, I AM SO SORRY THAT GOD CALLED YOU AWAY TOO SOON, BUT AS WE HAVE LEARNED GOD HAS NO AGE. I PRAY FOR YOU TO SLEEP PEACEFULLY IN GODS KINGDOM. PLEASE STAY CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY THEY NEED YOUR STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TRIAL GOD HAS LEFT THEM WITH. GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL. YOU ARE NOW RESTING WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER AND I PRAY THAT YOU TWO CAN SEND US ALL THE STRENGTH WE NEED TO CARRY US THROUGH OUR JOURNEY UNTIL WE ALL MEET AGAIN. GOOD NIGHT ANGELS.
What a beautiful tribute! / Tammy Crippen (friend of Debbie's and Logan's teacher ) As Debbie's high school friend and Logan's English teacher, I can not begin to express how proud I am of this family. It is true that small towns create great people. I promise to look after Logan each and every day, and to somehow find a way to help him through this tragic event. I too will promise to keep you and your children close in my thoughts and prayers.
With our Deepest Sympathy, The Crippen family
Our sincere sympathy to all of the family. / Herman And Lucille Michels (friend of Jackie and Steve ) Our sincere sympathy to all of the family. Mike was a great guy and comes from a terrific family to know.
Prayers are with you / Tammy Stallcup (Dispatch in Murphy TX ) Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and all those who knew Mike at this difficult time. My son and I lit a candle and put you on our prayer list at church and school. Remeber you have friends from dispatch praying for you from all over.
You are in my prayers.. / Jill (Ziemer) Cary I knew Mike from Orion High and he was a great guy. I just remember him alway smiling! My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and to all who knew him!
Our Thoughts / Harry (co-worker)
DEB: The special man in your life touched the hearts of all that knew him and left a warm spot for them to share. In our profession this is a rare and wonderful attribute. Our hearts go out to you and we all share your loss.
Jennie, We are thinking of you! / The Lynch Family (none) Dear Jennie, You helped my family when we went through the tragic, unexpected loss of someone we loved. I only wish we could help you in return. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Brian, Pam, Tyler & Margo
A Time Long Ago / Brenda Brobston (Friend from Andover ) My sincere condolences to Mike's family and friends. I grew up with Mike and the gang in Andover and have not seen many of them since we were 12 years old. His sister, Angie, was one of my closest friends. I'll never forget the happy times and the endless games of tag in the yard. Growing up in a small town we were always together, from the minute we woke up till the first mom calling us to come home. Mike was always laughing and having fun and of course, bugging his sister and I as we tried to play with our dolls. But he always had the best smile when he teased us so it made it hard to stay mad at him.
I wish I could of stayed close with Mike and known him as the wonderful person he turned into. We always think there is time to catch up later in life and then it's to late. I missed the opportunity to know Mike as an adult.
Angie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tributes and Condolences
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