In loving memory of

Michael Ryan Washburn
March 14, 1975 - March 1, 2018

Michael Ryan Washburn, 42, of Westfield passed away at home after a long illness on March 1, 2018 surrounded by his family. Loving son of Deborah Washburn and William Whitson, M.D., he is further survived by his siblings Spencer, Grady, and Jillian Whitson; Jenevieve (Washburn) Doss and her husband, Will; nephew Skyler Doss, nieces Madeline and Isabella Doss; along with his grandmothers Joyce Washburn and Helen Shapiro. He was preceded in death by his uncle Barry Washburn and his grandparents George Washburn, Isadore Shapiro, Edward Whitson, and Marian Whitson.

Michael was born on March 14, 1975 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up in the states of Wisconsin, Washington, and Indiana graduating from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in 1993. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Indiana University - Bloomington. He also studied Construction Technology at IUPUI and obtained his Real Estate License. He was employed by Whitson Vision working in medical billing and building management.

Michael enjoyed listening to many different types of music, attending concerts, watching sporting events, architecture, car design, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a kind and loving man, with a quick wit, who displayed great strength of character throughout his many years of health issues.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260. Visitation will be from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and a reception will follow the service. The service may be viewed via live-streaming at http://www.stlukesumc.com at 3:00 p.m. EST.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages blood donation in honor of Michael because of the many units of blood that were used to sustain his life, or make a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness - Indianapolis CIT program, 921 East 86th Street, Suite 120, Indianapolis, IN 46260.

To share a memory, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com

Tributes

Wendy Wools Arnold wrote on Mar 12, 2018:

"Sending light, love and peace in this difficult time. I knew Mike as a caring and funny classmate at Brebeuf and was able to get to know his wonderful and supportive parents while working at NAMI. His spirit was a gift to this world. You are all in my thoughts. Wendy Wools Arnold"

Randi Sweet wrote on Mar 10, 2018:

"What s totally lovely funeral service. A suitable tribute to a steadfast and loving man. I have been thinking about Mike a lot, and realized that I had to go back a long way to find those memories. I smiled when the pastor recalled Deb's conflict of recognizing that Mike really was too big to sit on her lap. That sense of "loss" when she finally said something was one of the things she shared with me on the phone, as that is often the time children attempt to do things they have been told they can't. "Get off me!" she finally had to cry. It was hard for Mike to keep any distance from his Mom. I was also at the end of the phone when Mike left a part of his finger in a couch bed, permanently "deforming his finger". And then there was the bus accident with Mom waiting anxiously as I tried to distract her on the phone. Mike was OK. Finally there were the shared Xmas carols at the piano and tree decorating. I was fortunate to know Mike during the joyful, easier times of his life. But I feel like I have always been close to Mom, in the joyful and sorrowful times, through her whole life. I share the deep sense of pain and loss at Mike's passing. Randi Sweet "

Kristin (Adams) Forner wrote on Mar 10, 2018:

"What a beautiful service. Mike was an enormous part of my high school experience, and I have often wondered about him and missed his dimpled smile, brilliant humor, and gentle spirit. I am so sorry and so sad I did not keep in touch with him. What a formidable loss- both to me and to this world. Thank you for shaping the friend that he was to all of us who knew him. My prayers are with you all. Kristin (Adams) Forner"

Tracy Snyder Wright wrote on Mar 10, 2018:

"Mike and I were friends at Brebeuf. He was a quiet and kind sole , very loving and supportive . I always loved to hear his insight and comments that were both wise and witty . He was a good friend to all . He was someone I sought out on retreats becuase he was comforting and easy to talk to. Mike always made me smile. I'm so sorry for your loss and grateful I knew him. Tracy Snyder Wright "

Ian wrote on Mar 9, 2018:

"Mike and I were close friends at Brebeuf, and though we drifted apart after high school, I will alway remember his sharp wit and his intelligence. He kept me on my toes and I admired him and did my best to emulate him. I am sorry for your loss. Mike was one of a kind. Ian Zabor"

Shannon Quinn wrote on Mar 7, 2018:

"Mike and I were classmates at Brebeuf and IU. We had many good talks and listened to a lot of music together (although he listened to it WAY too loud and my ear drums have never been the same since) during PRTs at Brebeuf and, of course, Kairos. I hitched rides with him a number of times between Bloomington to Indy when we were studying at IU. He was also one of my only friends with a personal computer so I didn't have to wait in a long line at the computer lab to complete papers which were always last minute. He always kept me in check when I went too far with the font and spacing to meet the assignment parameters ;). I'm very sorry for your loss."

Liz Bairami wrote on Mar 6, 2018:

"I keep remembering Michael, Jenny and Sarah playing with our big Bruno when they were little. Now, I imagine Bruno finding Mike and leading him home."