Michael J. Riordan

Michael J. Riordan lost his 68-year battle with diabetes passing away peacefully October 4, 2026 at age 87 years. Because of medical improvements for diabetics, he was able to lead a good life. He was among the first generations to take advantage of the many medical improvements over the last 20-30 years. Mike was born in West Bend on August 17,1939 the first child of Clarence and Ione (nee Schmidt) Riordan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary who only lived a week, and a brother, Daniel. Mike will be missed by his wife, Joanne, married for 66 years, and children, Lisa (Don) Abts, Tim Riordan and Amy Riordan. Mike spent lots of time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, 10 grandchildren, Matthew, Kaitlin, Michael, Tim, Raymond, Paige, Stephanie, Madison, Morgan and Mackenzie and 13 great-grandchildren, Neiva, Evelyn, Madelyn, Nolan, Leah Marie, Owen, Cole, Landon, Mason, Brayden, Layla, Brennan and Rory. Also survived by brother Timothy (Mary) Riordan, sister-in-law, Mary Riordan, brothers and sisters-in-law Jack Koehler (the late Loie Kuhtz), Dan (Mary) Koehler, the late Patricia Bacon (John), Margaret (Mike) Wenzel and the late Kathleen Koehler.

During high school years, Mike worked summers for the Waukesha Public Works Department and then spent a year with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad before two years at UW-Milwaukee. Then Mike spent 25 years (2-stints) with Clark Oil and Refining Corp in various positions starting as a station manager and ending as operations manager for Wisconsin, Northern, IL, Minnesota and the UP.

He spent another 25 years in the radio business with five stations including WAUK, Waukesha and WTKM, Hartford. He was News Director and Morning Announcer at WAUK (1967-1973), Disc Jockey and fill in at WTKM (2000-2009) and did sports play by play for high school football and basketball in both Hartford and Waukesha plus occasional other schools. Two of his “proudest moments” were doing a Catholic Memorial Football Tournament game at Lambeau Field. Unfortunately,CMH lost! The other was broadcasting the yearly “Toilet Bowl” on New Year’s Day in Hustisford for WTKM.

Mike spent the last 20 years doing taxes for Associated Tax of Waukesha.

Mike enjoyed flying racing pigeons with his son Tim, and they won several races and were among the top 15 pigeon fliers in the Milwaukee area. At that time there were about 300 pigeon fliers in Wisconsin.

Mike and Joanne traveled the world and in the United States. They loved bicycling and spent many summers with friends discovering bike trails in many states including two in Europe. Mike spent time working on family genealogy with his brother Dan. He was on the board of directors and served as President for two years for the Caring Place, for six years on the Prairie Home Cemetery Commission with two years and President and Vice President. Mike also was involved in Marriage Encounter where he and Joanne gave talks to the audience attending. He also volunteered at the Women’s Center, Hebron House, and Meals on Wheels and served as treasurer three times for the Community of the Living Spirit. Donations in Mike’s name would be appreciated to any of the above.

Visitation Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until the celebration of life begins at 1:30 p.m. at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Private interment at St. Joseph Cemetery.