Michael Chanda Kingsley, 42, passed away at his home in Bluffton, Ohio, on Monday evening, May 6, 2024. Mike was born on September 8, 1981, in Lusaka, Zambia.
At eight weeks old he was adopted by Phillip and Judith Kingsley in Lusaka. He grew up with his parents and his older brother, Dan, in southern Africa and Bluffton, Ohio.
Mike excelled in sports. He set records in soccer and in basketball as a Bluffton High School Pirate. Mike also played collegiate basketball at Bluffton University.
Mike met Stephanie Rush while they were students at Bluffton University. They were married and lived in and raised their children in Berea, Ohio.
Their children, Faith and Makayla, attended Berea City Schools. Faith currently attends the University of Cincinnati and Makayla will graduate high school in a few weeks.
Mike graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh with an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts. He has since served as a chef in a variety of organizations. He worked in Jean’s Kitchen in Bluffton, and most recently for the Ohio Northern University dining services.
Mike reconnected with his biological family in Zambia and made several trips to visit them, establishing significant relationships and hopes for future engagement. He was generous to a fault and loved to relate to people. His friendships spanned a wide range of people who enjoyed his humor and kindness.
Mike is survived by his adoptive mother, Judith Hilty Kingsley of Bluffton; daughters, Faith and Makayla Kingsley both of Berea; a brother, Dan (Jessica) Kingsley and their children, Owen and Eliza Kingsley, of Bozeman, Montana; and fiancé, Jaime Cox and her children, Emily, Kaylee and Asher, all of Bluffton.
Mike was preceded in death by his adoptive father, Phillip Kingsley.
Mike's memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at First Mennonite Church of Bluffton with Pastor Phil Yoder officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. The service will be live streamed at www.fmcbluffton.org.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bluffton Athletic Boosters Association; Mennonite Disaster Service; First Mennonite Church of Bluffton International Students Fund.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/
