Mike Schalk

Born December 17, 1950 to Donald and Carrie (Smith) Schalk, Donald “Mike” Schalk grew up
on Drewersburg Road, in Franklin County. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1969.
He was a bricklayer, then a carpenter. He was one of those people who could build or fix
anything. One of the things that he loved to build most were bird houses and bird feeders. He
enjoyed giving them to family and friends. Mike married Shirley Kerns in 1973 and the two
were blessed with a daughter, Brandy.
Mike love to hunt rabbit, squirrel, deer, and turkey. He taught his nephew and his grandson to
hunt and the three of them spent every deer season in the woods together. He also enjoyed
fishing with his friends and family. He fished year-round and took many trips to do so.
During the Spring and Summer months, you would find Mike in his garden. For many years he
sold his produce. People came from all around just for his tomatoes. Mike enjoyed farming and
raised black angus cattle on his family’s farm.
Mike served on the New Trenton Fire Department and was a member of the Mt. Carmel
Conservation Club. He loved his family and friends. He was there for them, helping wherever
and whenever needed. Mike passed away on October 7, 2022. As a legacy to him, his wife and
daughter have established the Mike Schalk Memorial Scholarship Endowment within the
Franklin County Community Foundation. When income is available from the fund, scholarships
will be awarded to graduating seniors from Franklin or Union Counties in Indiana who are
attending a trade school or college and planning to study in the area of construction, agriculture,
forestry or conservation. Consideration will also be given to applicants who love the outdoors,
hunting, and fishing.