Michael Lee Nidiffer

Vinita resident Michael Mike Lee Nidiffer, Sr. passed away on January 28, 2017 at the Claremore Veterans Center, Claremore, Okla. He was 79 years old. Mike was born on October 15, 1937 in Sumter, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Edmunds High School class of 1955. Mike joined the US Navy in 1955 as a 17-year-old. Mike was trained and operated as a US Navy Seal. He participated in numerous combat missions in Vietnam as a member of Seal Team One. Mike was awarded a Purple Heart after he was wounded in action on 3 May 1969 on the Rach Cai Dau Canal in South Vietnam. After an 18 year career service with the U.S. Navy, Mike worked as a truck driver. He also held jobs doing maintenance with the Vinita Public Schools and the hospital. Mike loved life and enjoyed being around his family. Among his hobbies were fishing and golfing, which he enjoyed doing with his kids. He also loved ice cream. Preceding him in death were his parents, his first wife Thelma Kaye Nidiffer, 1998, and his second wife Jeannie Nidiffer, 2016. Survivors include two brothers Jim Nidiffer of Wray, Colo. and Don Nidiffer of Milton, La.; a son, Michael Lee Nidiffer, Jr. and wife Sheena of Vinita; five daughters, Michole Martin of Vinita, Meleah Logman and husband Travis of Oklahoma City, Okla., Pattie Jean House and husband Steve of Elsinore, Calif., Teresa Frazier of Milton, La., and Tina Schlager and husband Rick of Vinita; and 13 grandchildren. A memorial service with Military Honors by the Grove Veterans Ritual Team will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Burckhalter Memorial Chapel.