Micheal Louis Johansen, 65, of Brazil IN passed away on September 29, 2013 at 3:14 a.m. in Terre Haute Regional Hospital. He was born on March 22, 1948 in Waverly, Iowa to Norman B. Johansen and Genevra (Kirschman) Johansen "Jeff". Micheal graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1966, in Waverly, Iowa. He then enrolled in Wartburg College in Waverly, where he studied two and a half years majoring in drama. Michael enrolled and was admitted to the University of Missouri Journalism School in the fall of 1969. He graduated in May 1971. From 1974-1977 he worked for the Lexington Twin Weeklies in Lexington, Nebraska where he served as sports editor. Michael was hired at the Eastern Arizona Courier on July 7, 1977. He served as sports editor until August 5, 2002, and was honored for 25 years of service. In March of 2003, he took a position as sports editor with the Petersburg Press Dispatch, until his retirement in 2013. Throughout his career, he was awarded the Skip Bryant Media Support Award in 2005, he was employee of the year at the Courier; he earned two first-place honors for sports writing and a second, a third and a couple of honorable mentions in the Arizona Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest individual categories. He was executive secretary of the Arizona Coaches Association for nine years and received the president's award from the ACA for his many years of service. Micheal was Executive Secretary for the Eastern Arizona All-Stars and the Arizona Coaches Association, a board member for the Mt. Graham Gold course, Treasurer of the Graceland Lutheran Church, and Founder of the Local Cancer Society. He also was a member of the Petersburg Kiwanis Club and he served as vice president and president. In 2002, Michael was quoted saying, "Journalism is about being responsible to the community. It's about reporting what happens — not being part of the story. It's about knowing your community. If there is wrongdoing — you write about it. If things are good — you write about that, too. I always prefer the positive things. That's probably why I have been a sports editor." Many residents of the Petersburg community have commented about the impact that Micheal has had on their community, "Thanks to Mike, I have many memories of my kids' activities through the years for scrapbooks. My family considered him a friend and his presence in the community will be missed by us." "Mike was such a special person to all of us in Petersburg, especially the kids. His weekly sports page contained not only all the news but a devotional section." "Mike was a fine supporter of Pike County athletics and a tremendous representative of our community. He will be sorely missed." "Thanks to Mike, I have many great photos of my kids through the years!" "He left many memories here in Pike, not with just the parents, but with our children too." Micheal was preceded in death by his mother on June 17, 1987 and his father on May 4, 2009. He is survived by his step mother Fran Johansen of Mesa, Arizona; brother Richard L. Johansen of Brazil, IN; step brother Jason Gohlke of Texas; step sisters Diona Manwell of Oklahoma and Donielle Mayer of Texas; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service for Micheal is scheduled on Saturday, October 19th, 2013 at 11:00 am at Petersburg First United Methodist Church with Pastor Mel Camp officiating. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Petersburg First United Methodist Church. Petersburg FUMC, P.O. Box 157, 801 Walnut Street, Petersburg, Indiana 47567.