Fifth Generation

84. Sarah PROTZ was born on 27 June 1948 in Wisconsin.⁴⁷ She appeared in the census in 1950 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁷

Sarah PROTZ and Michael "Mike" COTEY were married.¹⁶ Michael "Mike" COTEY died on 22 April 2005 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶

Obituary Notes: "Michael R. Cotey. My wonderful Mike, age 57, died in our home on Friday, April 22, 2005, after fighting his lung cancer with all of his might for the last nine months. Mike and I, his wife, Sarah (Protz), fell in love and decided to marry almost from the moment we started talking to each other 30 years ago. From that unfailing love, we grew to be each other's most devoted and best friend through all of those unbelievably happy, fulfilling yers we shared together.

Mike is also survived by his children, John (Phuong), Michelle and Maurice (Linda), who he loved with all his heart and soul; his grandchildren, Clara, Jenna, Jonathon, Salvatore, Maurice Jr., Bryce, Seth, and his niece, Heather (John Klein), who gave "Uncle Mike" nonstop love and encouragement as he fought the "battle" of his lifetime. Mike is further survived by his step-mother, Marion, who loved him as her own; his mother-in-law, Marian Protz (Tomah, WI), who always made sure she made a "chocolate cake for Mike"; his brother, Douglas, Sonny and Daisy and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard "Coach"; mother, Margaret Brocki; father-in-law, Donald Protz (Tomah, WI), Rocky and PeeWee.

He retired from the Milwaukee County Transit System on April 1, 2000, after 25 years of unbelievably safe and dedicated bus driving through the streets of Milwaukee. Prior to his illness, he drove part-time for Riteway Motorcoach, which he enjoyed tremendously.

For those of you who were fortunate enough to have had Mike touch your lives, you knew his "heart was bigger than the world is wide." You couldn't find a truer friend in life than Mike. He made all of us laugh, sometimes to the point of tears, with his wonderful quick wit and personality. Mike loved our little home by the zoo, our summer trips to Jackson Hole, WY, and our March trips to Phoenix, AZ, for Spring Training. He was honored by Churchill Downs, who showed the ultimate support for him during his fight with his disease by selling him just about the best tickets in "the house" to make his dream wish to watch the 2005 Kentucky Derby in person come true. He loved life and everybody who met him was drawn to him by his goodness! Mike was also awestruck by all of the wonderful professionals at Froedtert Hospital/Medical College of Wisconsin and the unbelievably dedicated love and caring they poured into their fight against his disease.

Visitation was Wednesday, April 27, from 4 to 6:45 p.m. with a service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Milwaukee Children's Hospital Cancer Ward would be appreciated.
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