Michael Stewart Hoben

Michael Stewart Hoben

October 1, 1944 – September 26, 2026

Mike was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Richard Henry Hoben and Jean Catherine Ansorge Hoben during World War II while his father was on active duty in the Army.  His mother was an elementary school teacher. Mike grew up in Adrian, Michigan.  He contracted polio and spent over a year recovering in hospitals in Ann Arbor and Southfield, Michigan.  He attended St. Joseph Academy, St. Mary’s Grade School, and graduated from Adrian Catholic High School in 1963. He was a letterman on the football team and was a life-long sports fan.

He attended Adrian College and transferred to California’s Harbor Beach Junior College.  He was drafted into the Army in 1965 and served in Viet Nam with the 17^th Engineering Battalion, 2^nd Armored Division. He worked constructing air bases in Da Nang alongside Vietnamese workers who later were shot as Viet Cong sabotage agents. Following his service in the Army, Mike enrolled in the Peace Corps, learned Arabic, and was sent to Afghanistan. Mike contracted malaria, and returned to Michigan. Mike continued his education at Ferris State College at Big Rapids and became a Licensed Land Surveyor.

Mike was employed at Orchard Hiltz & McCliment for many years and mentored younger surveyors.  He was a member of the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, and the National Society of Professional Surveyors.  Mike wrote and published several articles about Michigan’s surveying controversies. His surveying career took him from slogging through swamps to computer and satellite images. Mike later became a consultant and was self-employed. He lived I n Canton, Michigan and after retirement, moved to Florida to be near his children.

Mike is survived by his son Michael Patrick Hoben and his daughter Kelly Johnson and her husband Mike Johnson, and stepdaughter JaNiece Lester; and grandchildren Gabby, Ainsley, and Mia Johnson, and Ed, Brad and Jewel. Mike was married three times and two of his wives preceded him in death. Mike is also survived by his sisters Catherine Hoben of Arizona and Mary Hoben of Michigan, his brother Richard Hoben of Ohio, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mike was also preceded in death by his younger sisters Elise Hoben of Kalamazoo and Christine Hoben of Traverse City.

Mike will be remembered for his amazing ability to overcome hardships.  His character was forged in adversity and triumphing over seemingly impossible odds. Mike had a dry sense of humor and a love of sports, singing karaoke, history and genealogy.  He was an avid competitor, a generous friend and enjoyed life. 

A Memorial Service to honor Mike’s life will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 1:30 pm at Bay Pines National Cemetery. Afterwards, a lunch will be held at the American Legion Post 119 in Largo, Florida. Mike was a proud member of the American Legion, VFW, and the DAV.

To honor Mike’s life, donations may be made to any Veteran’s charity or simply stop a veteran in public and thank them for their service.