Michael William Wilcheck
Aug 2, 1960 -
Feb 23, 2026
Michael William Wilcheck, 65, died at ANMC in Anchorage, Alaska, on Monday Feb. 23, 2026, after battling lung cancer for the past six months.
Mike was born on Aug. 2, 1960, in Anchorage, to Ronald Wilcheck and Marie Siverly-Pickett. He was the third of six children. Shortly after Mike's birth, the family moved to Kentucky, where Ron's family had settled. Mike grew up in Kentucky with his siblings until 1975, when Marie and her boys moved to Alaska.
Mike graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1978 and proceeded to take on many adventures with his friends from high school and toured the United States, experiencing many sites before going back to Kentucky to live and work near his sisters and brother. Mike eventually moved back to Alaska and went to work with AAA Moving and Storage and relocated to Kodiak in 1990 to run their office and to begin a life on the rock! Mike enjoyed Kodiak, raced cars, settled down, married and raised two boys, Matt and Brandon. Mike spent 15 years in Kodiak before moving back to Anchorage to be closer to family.
Mike decided to try a new career when his brother started a fire sprinkler company with a partner and Mike became Chinook Fire Protection Inc.'s first employee. Mike started as an apprentice at 45, and quickly advanced with his mechanical skills and hard work and dedication. Mike became a journeyman sprinkler fitter and later became the construction manager for the company. Mike was with Chinook for 21 years before retiring at 65 years old. Mike was known for his can-do attitude and his MacGyver abilities to make anything work or find a solution to an issue.
Mike retired when he discovered he had lung cancer and wanted to focus on defeating it early on. Sadly, his cancer did not agree with his can-do attitude and spread to his heart.
Mike loved Alaska and the outdoors and enjoyed playing golf with his friends and family. Mike raised his boys and always made time to take care of their needs. Mike was at Brandon's side throughout his rehabilitation after an automobile accident left him paralyzed.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald Wilcheck and stepmother Carolyn Wilcheck, and Marie Siverly and stepfather Geno Cyphers; and brother-in-law, Robbie Barnes.
Mike is survived by his sons, Matt and Brandon Wilcheck; sisters, Kathleen Barnes and Theresa Mattingly (Butch); brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph (Kim) Wilcheck, Jeffrey (Christie) Wilcheck and Kevin (Carrie) Wilcheck; and many nieces and nephews.
The Wilcheck family would like to send their thanks and appreciation for the kindness and compassion shown to Mike throughout his life and illness. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 12:30 p.m., at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2627 Lore Road in Anchorage. A burial service will follow at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery, 535 E. 9th Avenue in Anchorage. A celebration of life will follow at 5 p.m., for family and friends, Potlatch style, at the home of Jeff and Christie Wilcheck in Anchorage.
