Michael "Mickey" Vode

Michael John “Mickey” Vode, 76, of Hobart, Indiana, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026. Born April 14, 1950, in Gary, Indiana, Mickey made Hobart his home for more than 30 years and leaves behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, friendship, and a personality that was truly one of a kind. Mickey worked at Bethlehem Steel for more than 30 years before retiring in 2008, but anyone who knew him knew that his true passion was owning Mickey D’s Bar in Hobart, which he and his wife, Denise, have owned since 1992. Mickey loved being a bar owner. More than that, he loved the people who came through its doors. He enjoyed talking with his patrons, making them laugh, and putting a smile on their faces. For more than three decades, Mickey D’s was much more than a business to him—it was a place filled with friends, stories, laughter, and countless memories. Mickey shared over 40 years of marriage with his wife, Carolyn Denise “Denise” Vode, whom everyone knows simply as Denise. Together they built a life centered around their family, their son, and Mickey D’s. Above everything else in Mickey’s life was his only son, Michael Joseph Vode, and Michael’s wife, Nadia. Michael was Mickey’s world. Father and son were best friends, and Mickey never missed an opportunity to let people know how proud he was of his son. Whether they were talking cars, going to Hobart football games on Friday nights, spending time at the bar, or simply being together, theirs was a relationship that went far beyond father and son. They genuinely loved spending time together. And if Michael wasn’t Mickey’s best friend, Kane, Michael’s golden retriever, certainly had a claim to the title. Mickey adored Kane, and anyone around town might have spotted the two of them cruising together in Mickey’s Hummer. Kane wasn’t just Michael’s dog to Mickey; he was part of the family and one of Mickey’s favorite companions. Mickey had a lifelong love of cars, especially American muscle cars. He loved attending car shows and was especially proud of his 1971 Camaro, appropriately nicknamed “No Games.” Later, Mickey and Michael bought a 1967 Camaro together—a car that meant even more because it was theirs to enjoy as father and son. Mickey also loved music, especially Motown. The Temptations and Smokey Robinson were among his favorites, and music was one more thing that brought him joy throughout his life. He enjoyed sports as well. Friday nights often meant attending Hobart football games with Michael, and he was a fan—sometimes more enthusiastically than others—of the Raiders and the New York Yankees. Mickey also took pride in the way he presented himself. He loved dressing well, looking good, and, as Mickey would put it, looking “sharp.” Family was at the center of Mickey’s life. He loved spending time with Denise, Michael, Nadia, his nephews, and the generations of family that followed. “Uncle Mickey” especially enjoyed talking about cars, sports, and just about anything else with his nephews David Vode and Stevie Vode, and with Jacob Vode and Zach Vode. Family gatherings weren’t complete without Mickey cooking for everyone—especially his lamb and his unmistakable “saaaaaaaaausage.” Those who knew Mickey will remember far more than the things he did. They’ll remember the way he did them. Mickey had an unforgettable way of talking, laughing, joking, and stretching out a word or phrase until it became unmistakably his. A simple “what’s going on?” became Mickey’s familiar “What’s going onnnnnnn around hereeeeee?” You didn’t have to see who said it to know exactly who it was. There was only one Mickey. Mickey was preceded in death by his parents, John “Duke” Vode and Diane Vode, and his beloved brothers, Steve Vode and Robert “Bob” Vode. Mickey shared a lifelong bond with his brothers, known together as “The Vode Brothers from Gary.” Those who knew and loved the three brothers can take comfort in imagining them together once again. Mickey is survived by his loving wife, Denise Vode; his son and best friend, Michael Joseph Vode (Nadia); his sister, Denise Vode; his nephews, Andy Vode, Stevie Vode, David Vode, and John Vode; Jacob Vode and Zach Vode; his beloved Kane; and the many extended family members, friends, patrons, and familiar faces whose lives were made a little brighter by knowing Mickey. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 2:00 P.M. until the time of service at 6:00 P.M., at Burns Funeral Home 10101 Broadway Crown Point, Indiana 46307. Mickey will be cremated. Following the services, family and friends are invited to gather at Mickey D’s Bar to share food, raise a glass, tell some stories, and toast a man who gave everyone plenty of stories worth telling. Mickey was a devoted husband, an incredibly proud father, a best friend, a brother, an uncle, a bar owner, a car guy, and a friend to more people than could ever be listed here. His voice, his laugh, his stories, and his larger-than-life personality will be deeply missed. And for everyone who knew him, it won’t be hard to hear his voice one more time: “What’s going onnnnnnn around hereeeeee?” Please visit Mickey’s online guestbook and obituary at www.BurnsFuneral.com

Michael "Mickey" Vode

April 14, 1950 - August 19, 2026