Michael ‘Mike’ Claude Widener
Michael “Mike” Claude Widener, 61, of Marble Falls died July 12, 2011, in a San Antonio hospital. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 6, 1950, to Claude Edwin and Julia Steggall Widener.
His childhood influenced his characteristics of humor, kindness and willingness to succeed and finish tasks. A few days before his high school graduation in 1969, he became a victim of an incident and a full-time student in survival resulting from a diving accident that left him a quadriplegic for 41 years. Through physical therapy and the process of relearning to be a productive human, he became determined to succeed — thus, his strong will to survive and to live life to its fullest with a zest for knowledge.
He moved to Marble Falls in 1982. He was able to enjoy the outdoors more than in Iowa since he didn’t have to deal with the cold and snow. In his wheelchair, he would cruise the property of Cottonwood Restaurant & Resort, where he resided in a cabin and helped his family manage the business. That experience gave him his own sense of freedom and choice, to go places — that were not always adapted to wheelchairs — and to become more independent — along with more stubborn and determined.
He would sit for hours in the sun just “baking” as his family referred to it, but this was his true enjoyment. He also loved to go fast in a boat on LBJ Lake and cruise and see the sights from the water. He had an aerial vision in a helicopter and thoroughly loved that, since he always wanted to be a pilot as a young boy.
In spite of the physical challenges, he remained very active. He was self-taught and enjoyed photography, astronomy and coin collecting. Then the computer brought a whole new dimension into his world along with new and old friends and distant relatives. He relished “chat rooms” and games galore.
He was an inspiration to everyone he met, and he leaves behind many cherished memories for all who loved him. He will be missed beyond measure forever.
Survivors include his twin sister Michele Horner and husband David of Horseshoe Bay; nephew Heath Nickes and wife Cressent of Round Mountain; niece Hali Nickes and daughter Hadali of Marble Falls; brother-in-law Archie Nickes of Marble Falls; great-nephew Kole Zimmerman; aunt Betty Steggall of Marble Falls; aunt and uncle Pat and Barney Hanson of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law Janet Widener and children Max Hubbard and Abby Reid and their families, all of Cedar Rapids; Tabetha and Jennifer Zimmerman of Cedar Rapids; Sasha Brust and sons of Cedar Rapids; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Charles Widener; uncle Frank Stegall and many aunts and uncles.
A service is 7 p.m. July 26 at the Edgar Funeral Home Chapel, 2105 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-5808. The Rev. David Sugeno will officiate.
The family would like to thank Ruben Rodriguez, owner of Granite Time, for his generosity and kindness during this difficult time.