Michael “Mike” Francis Poston, 77, passed peacefully with his family by his side on June 25, 2024 in St. Louis, Missouri. Devoted and Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Brother.
Mike is the eldest of ten children spanning 25 years. Mike and Marilyn had their very first date sixty years ago in 1964. In 1965 Mike graduated from Roosevelt High School where he was the captain of the baseball and soccer teams. Mike attended St. Louis University with a full scholarship (via baseball and soccer); at SLU Mike was a member of the 1967 U.S. National Champion Soccer Team, he majored in Marketing with a Philosophy minor, and graduated with his B.S. in 1970. Mike and Marilyn wed just before his college graduation in 1969. Mike’s Military Service (1970-1976) was with the Army National Guard of Missouri where he was a “weekend warrior” and earned an Expert Rifle Badge. After college graduation Mike quickly excelled in various sales positions which led him to a longstanding and very successful career in medical sales. Mike’s work successes led him and his family from St. Louis to San Diego and Minneapolis. In 2002 Mike and Marilyn were drawn back to their roots and returned to St. Louis, Missouri.
Mike loved to fish and taught his kids to fly fish early on; he regularly traveled to the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound to fish for silver salmon. Mike was an avid and skilled woodworker; he received accolades including two Fine Woodworking awards for his Craftsman and Stickley styled furniture and intricate custom-made pieces including boxes and cabinets with overlay of over twenty exotic woods (these special works are numerous and staples in his family’s homes). Mike was an excellent golfer and a member at The Missouri Bluffs for seventeen years; in 2004 he had a hole-in-one on the second hole. Mike and Marilyn traveled many places including Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, and Germany. Mike volunteered throughout his life, most recently at Mercy Hospital and Food Outreach.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Marilyn (Kordonowy); his son Kyle (Cindy), his daughter Mandy (Paul Eriksen), his daughter Valerie (Andy Bahls), his grandchildren Keegan, Chase, Hadley, and Maya, his siblings Barb, Debbie, Mary, Cathy, Kim, Matt, Pat, and Mark, his dearest friends Denny and Pat Schaumann. Mike’s passing over joins him with many loved ones including his mother Dorothy, father Willard, brother Greg, Mary & Mytro Kordonowy, Frank Ladish, Laura Ward. In memory of Mike, donations may be directed to Food Outreach. Mike was cremated and his ashes are in careful care with Marilyn. A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held with family and close friends at a later date.
May our closest and dearest friend rest in peace. He will be greatly missed.
Dad was such a kind man, full of the best advice and unconditional love. He brought me up to be the person I am today, and I will continue to make him proud. He is forever in my heart.
Sending my sincere condolences..
My heart goes out to your family. Such a kind soul.He always made me feel like I was a part of your family…
Hugs Kristin Eastlund
We send our sympathy & prayers to Marilyn & family.
Chuck & Melody Morgan
Mike and Marilyn became friends when we both were Jaycee family. That was in the early 80s. Mike was truly a gentleman. He was an active citizen in the West County area. We worked on many projects together. I recognized his athleticism and saw his drive was one of his big components of his personality. He was a winner. I will always think kindly of Mike and with a smile in my heart. My sympathies to Marilyn and the family. Be proud of Mike he was unique. Orville
Orville, I agree whole heartedly with you. Mike and Marilyn are very special people,
Lynette and I stayed with them in San Diego,
I’ve played many rounds of golf, gone Trout fishing in Arkansas, played golf in Arkansas. They are two of the nicest people I have ever known.
We’re so sorry to hear of this loss. Ed and I will always remember Mike for the twinkle in his eye, his affable personality and the fun we had with him and Marilyn in the Jaycees. RIP Michael.
Dad, you are the most kind, humble, caring, talented, and loving man that I will ever know; you are forever with me and I am beyond grateful. Mom, Dad loves you more than anything and is always with you.
In the 20 years that I had the privilege of knowing Mike, he never raised his voice or disrespected anyone. Although, one time after leaving a Cardinals game I would’ve deserved a talking to. I’ll always remember all the rounds of golf we played and the trips I was fortunate enough to go on with Mike, Marilyn, and Val. He has made a forever impression on me, how to be the best person I can be and always respect people. He loved his family dearly. My condolences go out to Marilyn and the entire Poston family.
My condolences are with all the Poston family. I know Kim and Cathy from Zipatoni and they are a beautiful example of genuine love and faith, which I’m sure was rooted among all of the Poston children. My God comfort you all in this time and bring you joy, as you trust in the promise of life eternal with our Lord an savior Jesus Christ.
We all have lost one of the best. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn and the Poston family.
I was lucky to meet Mike and Marilyn a few times, mike reminded of my dad in many ways,he was fun to be around. I am sure he will be missed by many, prayers and thoughts to the family, rest in peace,
I was fortunate to play baseball with Mike, he was a great guy , besides being a very good baseball player . May God bless his family. Rest in peace my friend !
Mike and I were school mates at SLU, and Marketing club members together. We both joined Firestone right after graduation; both ran stores; both got frustrated with them; went on to successful careers and lives afterwards. Mike was a great friend during our time together. I am thrilled to read what a full and wonderful life he lived with Marilyn and his family. Rest in Peace my friend; you earned it.
I know my lovely wife and I have already extended condolences but I wanted to add a few thoughts. Mike was the brother I never had, a ready smile, kind heart and tough as nails. We grew up across the alley from each other in the 3200 blocks of Texas and Ohio on the South Side, played in that alley and bonded which continued into Roosevelt High where we each met and later married our wonderful wives….Marilyn and Pat. He was my Best Man and I was his, both in the year of “peace and love” 1969!! I still cannot wrap my head around the awful truth that he is gone. I love you my Brother and always will. As you rest in peace with other loved ones I trust you have your catchers mitt , fly rod, turkey call , golf clubs and exotic woods at the ready. I miss you my true Brother and will never forget what you meant to my life…..Love Denny
We met Mike & Marilyn back in our college days. Marilyn lived next door to me at Mizzou & was dating Mike in STL. They introduced me to my husband, Tom. Lots of fun times. Mike was a groomsmen in our wedding and we were both in their wedding . Tom had to finish school & Mike went out into the work force. So our paths went in different directions.
I am so glad to see they have wonderful children and had a great life together. He was a kind caring person.
Our sympathies to you Marilyn and the family.
Uncle Mike was beloved by all of us, our kids especially. He was so fun, kind, and witty. We will miss him greatly. Wishing you all peace.
David, Gwen, Lydia &Rhys
My condolences are with Mike’s family and all the poston family. I remember mike being a great athlete and by what I’ve read a great husband and dad. I lived on Texas Ave. In south st. Louis and spent many times in the poston house growing up. To everyone I’m. So sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences to the Poston family. I know Barb, Cathy and Kim.
My thoughts and prayers to you all.
Dianne Nesbitt
We’ve always known Mike as a devoted family man and awesome friend. Reading this, we realize he was also very humble and learned so many interesting things about him. We will miss his smiling face and kind way of making us all feel special in his life. Matt and Susan.
I just learned of Mike’s passing. Marilyn, Kyle, Mandy and Valerie and to all of Mike’s other family and friends, you have my deepest condolences. Mike was a very kind person, and I was very fortunate to get to work with him during his time at AMS and to get to know him and his wonderful family on a more personal level while they lived in Minnesota. I am so sorry for your loss.
To the Poston Family,
Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences for your recent loss. Mike was a great coach, mentor and friend. I cherish the memories of my early fly fishing experience and pheasant hunts we enjoyed together. Equally the travel experiences with Marilyn & Mike to Italy and the many laughs we enjoyed. Mike loved and enjoyed his family and friends- RIP My Friend!
Steve & Kelley Miller
I learned of Mike’s passing and I am truly sorry, because Mike was so full of life. I considered him a friend of mine and enjoyed the times I spent with him and Marilyn. They both made you feel like you have known them for years upon first meeting. Rest in peace Mike, you will be missed by many.
It is with gratitude of having a devoted husband that I know how lucky I have been to have Mike all these years. He was loving and lovable. He and I laughed a lot and his smile was so endearing.
We did travel to many places and many times he said he was “just along for the ride” but after the first day he warmed up to the occasion.
Our first 16 years we stayed in Missouri and lived in Manchester until Mike was promoted to regional sales manager. For five years my mom lived with us and both Mike and I loved having her with us. We moved to Encinitas California for eight years and had lots of visitors. We lived in Minnesota for nine years and had very few visitors.
Our children live in Minnesota, Arizona and Oregon.
We had a boat in California and the whole family would go along. In 2003 we all went fishing for silver salmon in Alaska.
We returned in 2002 to Chesterfield and bought a house on a quiet cul-de-sac. Mike helped a master carpenter build a workshop in the basement and spent winters creating furniture, cabinets and ornate boxes. In the spring, summer and fall he played lots of golf and I joined him occasionally
I wanted to thank the Jaycees who commented on our time spent (1975-1985) projects haunted house and Ballwin Days. We a lot of social gatherings also.
Wanted to thank several of you who gave generous donations to Food Outreach