Michael W. Giles

It was an almost perfect card of health his entire life, then one day he mysteriously wakes up in the hospital! His first waking words were “Wow… well, I wasn’t going to drink today but now I think I have to!” Hahaha!
Days pass and he finds out he has a cancerous tumor in his brain. His first words are “I’m just glad it’s ME.”
A witty mind and a grateful heart, Michael W. Giles, lived his life unapologetically authentic. Born in Toledo, Ohio November 9, 1958 to Donald & Virginia Giles, second of 6 children, he was known in “The Old West End” for living free on his bike and watching classic cars cruise by while listening to Motown Music on the front porch. Eventually Mike would be known in the Genoa areas for his muscle cars, loud rock n’ roll, and wavy long hair. He lived for what he loved, even if it meant pissin’ a few people off. He fell in love with a lil Mexican hippie, named Maria (Garza) Giles, and they ran as free spirits to dance, race cars, marry, have 4 children, and eventually 9 grandchildren… whether you approved of it or not! And while the house-shaking rock music never rolled away, hobbies like hunting and fishing became Mike’s escape into a world of adventure! The coolest stories of classic cars and music, quickly became about the unbelievably, hilarious close calls, “monsters”, and stroke of “luck” adventures, that would leave you with warm beer because you were so engulfed in his story that you forgot to drink it! Haha!
While life changed dramatically 3 years ago, when Mike was diagnosed, endured brain surgery, underwent treatments, he unfortunately was pounded with health mishaps over and over that had nothing to do with the brain cancer he no longer had. So many more close calls, struggles, and do-overs gave him battle after battle, that he would WIN with his will to LIVE, TEACH, and LOVE! He made it look so effortless, with his grace and smooth mannerism, that we sometimes wondered if it was harder for us, as witnesses, than it was for him within. And THIS is why he said “I’m just glad it’s ME.”
Mike Giles knows the pain of helplessness, as he has sat sidelines of many of your own trying times in life. He was there to give you break with a 6 pack, put some laughs back in your soul, inspire a bigger life outside your problems, or gave you something new to think about or learn. Mike was unapologetic because he LOVED authentically. He made you feel like his only person for the day but… he never gave away his fish recipe and he was NEVER going to love your food or face more than Maria’s. 
On the morning of September 15, 2022, Michael W. Giles became free to telling stories of his life on earth, sipping a Rolling Rock, while scarfing down his favorite flavors, as he is preceded in death by his father, Donald Giles, in-laws, Alfonzo and Andrea Barron, friend and brother-in-law, Joe Soncrant, sister-in-law, Lisa Giles, and grandson, Malaki Giles. Mike leaves behind his brokenhearted bride of 44 years, Maria Giles, their children Jen (and Troy) Bullock, David (and Christine) Giles, Allen (and Ashley) Giles, and Anna-Banana Giles, as well as their grandchildren Desmond, Isaac, Alana, Madison, Dakota, Levi, Dominic, and Jacob. Also surviving are his mother, Virginia Giles, siblings, Victoria Soncrant, Theresa (Bob) Searles, Kevin Giles, Thomas (Kelly) Giles and Steven (Kerry) Giles.  He was preceded in death by his father Donald Giles.
Visitation for Mike will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM, Monday, September 19, 2022 at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa, Ohio.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 204 S. Main St., Genoa. In lieu of flowers, Mike’s family suggests memorials to Arc of Appalachia, c/o Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Road, Bainbridge, Ohio 45612 or The American Red Cross Blood Services, 3510 Executive Parkway, Toledo, Ohio 43606. Everyone is encouraged to share their stories of Mike’s life at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.