Michael Dennis Mitterlehner, 57, of Beaumont, died Friday, February 20, 2015. He was born August 17, 1957 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to Jeanette and Dennis Mitterlehner.

A genius in his own right, Mike was our Mr. Google before there was Google. We know of no one else who read more nor who was more passionate about politics and loved all things Sci-fi. But most of all, Mike loved his nieces and nephews Kristin Davis, Brian Adams, Will and Walt Spidle, Lauren & Alex Moreno, Grant & Reagan Mitterlehner, and his great nephew Knox Adams and great niece Palmer Kate Davis. They all called him fondly by his nickname for himself, “Old Spicy”. We will always remember his great laugh, stubbornness, and uncanny wit. There are great stories of playing in our playhouse on our mountain (small hill) in Westlake, family vacations traveling to national parks in a small travel trailer, and playing games of all kinds. He especially loved family reunions, the Gillard’s Annual Crawfish Boil, Thanksgiving, and Easter at his parent’s home in Brenham, where all the kids gathered for fun and games (Apples to Apples and the Indian Sign game). And boy could he surprise you and make you laugh. ...Loved when he would CRACK himself up....

Mike attended Forest Park High School and loved being a manager of the football team. He attended Lamar University and he had fond memories of the time he worked for Lamar University. He was very proud to work at various voting sites as a poll ­­­worker on Election Day.

His baby sister, Carole, recalls that he was funny, smart, a talker, and a big pain in our butt. But he was our pain in the butt, and we loved him. He thought his 3 nieces hung the moon, (loved his nephews too), loved his nickname "Old Spicy", and hated taking pictures. Rest in peace big brother, I love you.

Cathy, the middle child, said that she lost her big brother, Mike, the most intelligent brain she knew. She remembers surprise flowers from him when she pledged Alpha Chi Omega at Stephen F. Austin. Cathy was wonderful to Mike driving him to doctors’ appointments and taking him to lunch. We know he appreciated it, even though it was difficult for him to express it.

Youngest brother, Mark recalls that he had tons of patience for kids and none for grown ups. He loved rice and gravy but mostly gravy. In fact, best advice was never get behind him in the serving line, if there was gravy. When I was 4 years old he helped me dig a hole to China, and at 6 we all played in the mud after a huge storm, covered from head to toe. He was still taller than me then. I looked up to him then and always did later in life. He told funny stories and laughed all the way through them. I MISS HIM SO MUCH. Mike, I Love You and you made my life better. Don't worry I'll tell everybody not to vote for any of those "dang democrats".

Many of you might not know that my brother Mike lived with Asperger syndrome. Some people refer to it as high functioning autism. I think of it as being the smartest guy in the room with difficulty communicating in a social setting, and so people rarely knew how smart he was. Those friends who did know Mike, I thank you for the patience you showed him during his life. We all knew at times he could be hard to handle, especially when he was on a rant about Obama, Clinton, Hillary and please don't get him started on Carter or even worse Nancy Pelosi.

For years Kristin, Mike’s oldest niece, would drop him off at the mall to buy books (of course), and then bring him back to his apartment after he grocery shopped at Walmart. She was so patient and kind with him. Thank you for all your help.

Mike’s niece, Lauren wrote, I close my eyes and all I see is the EMT repeating over and over again "I'm so sorry ma'am he has passed away", but I just keep reminding myself how happy he was! He was so excited that I was taking him to the barbershop to get that wild hair of his tamed and then to lunch. We would spend a good hour on the phone talking about Pretty Little Liars and Switched at Birth and OF COURSE he would start telling me about politics and reminding me how important it is to vote at every election! The only way he would ever take a picture was if it was one of the nieces who took it, and it could only be ONE photo, but in this photo his face had to covered. LOL. While I'm rereading 50 Shades of Grey, I can't help but laugh because I can just hear him laughing at me, telling me how he needed to teach me the correct books to read, or when he would correct us so fast when we didn't call him "Old Spicy"! I'm going to miss our weekly phone calls! I know he is in a much better place, and he is with my Abuela now. I can't wait to see them both again! I now have two guardian angels keeping me safe and strong.

And I, Cheryl, will miss my brother terribly. There will always be a missing link in our large family of five siblings.

Mom and Dad would holler, “MikeCherylCathyMarkCarole, Oh whoever you are!” Mike, we know who you are and will miss you, our big brother and son.

Mike’s parents, Dennis and Jeanette, would like to thank everyone for their prayers, kind words, and thoughts for the loss of their son.

He is survived by his parents, of Brenham, Texas; brother, Mark Mitterlehner of Houston; sisters, Cheryl Adams (Richard); Cathy Spidle (Bill), all of Beaumont; and Carole Moreno (Oscar) of Houston; nieces and nephews, Kristin Davis, Brian Adams, Will and Walt Spidle, Lauren and Alex Moreno, Grant and Reagan Mitterlehner; great nephew, Knox Adams; and great niece, Palmer Kate Davis.

Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Walter “Buddy” and Willder Mitterlehner of Shreveport, Louisiana; and Roderick and Thelma Hawkins of Westlake, Louisiana.

Per Mike’s request, a private family memorial will be held under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his nameto Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, 2780 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77703 or to a charity of your choice.