Michael B. Slifer

Captain Michael B. Slifer, of Florence, Oregon, died August 14, 2024 in Clackamas, Oregon at the age of 54.  He was born February 15, 1970 in Heidelberg, Germany.  He graduated from high school at Wuerzburg American High School in Wuerzburg, Germany in 1988.  CPT Slifer, known simply as “Mike” or “Slife”, was a man of integrity and service, spending his entire professional life in public service.  He first enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve while attending college, achieving the rank of Corporal.  After college, he was a cherished high school teacher and coach in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years teaching sciences and coaching basketball, football and a variety of other sports, as well as serving in the Arizona Army National Guard.  Mike then moved to Florence, Oregon and became an Oregon State Trooper with the Oregon State Police and eventually resumed his military service by attending OCS and becoming an officer in the Oregon Army National Guard.  While in the Oregon Army National Guard, he served as Assistant Fire Support Officer, Fire Support Officer, Company Commander deploying to Qatar and most recently in the Provost Marshal role preparing for deployment to Kosovo. 

 Mike’s awards and decorations include:  The Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal W-M Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Oregon Emergency Service Award, Oregon Superior Soldier Award and Oregon Faithful Service Ribbon.  Beyond his professional achievements, Mike loved his dog, Winston, watching college football and staying close to his many friends around the country.  Mike dearly loved his family, always taking time to meet up with them several times a year.  He was always one to lend a listening ear to those in need and provide unbiased and sage advice. Mike’s legacy of service and leadership will continue to inspire those who knew him best. 

Mike is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert Slifer of Kansas City, MO and Phyllis (Frankenberg) Slifer of Cameron, WI, as well as maternal grandparents, Lajoie and Margaret (Howland) Marsh of Sumner, WI.  Surviving Mike are his parents, Gordy (Dean) and Marilyn (Marsh) Slifer of Chester, VA, as well as his brother, USAF COL Danny Slifer and Alicia (Cresta) Slifer of Dayton, OH, Sister Sara (Slifer) Bunn and Peter Bunn of Chester, VA.  Mike also loved his three nephews, Jack Slifer of Amarillo, TX, Skyler Slifer of Dayton, OH and Jesse Bunn of Chester, VA. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 6th at Faith Baptist Church in Chetek.  Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.  Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in the Village of Cameron, WI.  Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Dallas & Cameron.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael B. Slifer, please visit our floral store.