Michael Richlin

life story

"You can't say I didn't have fun." - Mike

About Mike

Mike Richlin passed away in the afternoon of April 18th after a 10-month battle with lung cancer. He was born in Milwaukee to Morri and Dolores Richlin. He attended John Marshall High School and lived in Milwaukee and Madison in his 20s and 30s, then Waukesha, Wauwatosa, and Pewaukee in his second half of life. Mike was a life-long taxi driver with multiple companies including Yellow/Checkered (co-owned with his father in Waukesha), City Veteran, American United, and eventually Uber and Lyft. He had a cast of regular riders he got to know over decades and amassed some legendary stories. Mike was known for his live and let-live attitude, charming off-key singing, modest humor, and in his later years, fabulous hats.

Michael is preceded by his mother (1997), father (2001), his adored wife of 27 years, Nancy Lynn Richlin (2020), stepson Adam Covington (2021) and older sister Noreen (1967). He's survived by his twin sister Michele Ilene Eskrudge (Toledo, WA), niece Kim, nephew Joe, sons, Jason, Ian, and Greg, daughter Jennifer, and stepdaughters Beth Pinzer and Lauren Zimmermann Onstad; and grandchildren: Ashlynn, Dominic, Alexandria, Kallie, DJ, Malachi, Easton, Jordan, Joey, Jackson, Marty, Jordyn, and Brandi. Mike got by with a little help from his great friends including Kelly Smith, Bob Mansell, and Jeff Friebert. A memorial will be held July 26th, 2025 at Pike Lake.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

July 26, 2025

Kettle Moraine State Forest- Pike Lake Unit 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd, Hartford, WI 53027, USA

The memorial will be held at the amphitheater at Pike Lake from 12-4pm including catered lunch afterwards. We will be sharing memories of Mike, you are invited to share stories too. The amphitheater has wood benches, feel free to bring a cushion or blanket for your comfort. Please remember your WI State Parks tags or bring funds to pay for parking at the site.