MT. VERNON - Michael Leroy Strickland, 68, of Mt. Vernon died at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at his home in Mt. Vernon. Michael was born on November 8, 1942, in Mt. Vernon, a son of Merritt Leroy and Mary M. (Moore) Strickland. He married Barbara J. Patterson on August 26, 1965, in Mt. Vernon and she survives in Mt. Vernon. Michael was a contract mechanical engineer. He served his country in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam war. He is survived by his wife Barbara J. Strickland of Mt. Vernon and by his four children: Stephanie Ward and husband Nick of Milton, Fla.; Edward Strickland and wife Kathy of Denver, Colo.; Amanda Sheradan and husband Quint of Carbondale; and Kenneth Strickland of Mt. Vernon; and by six grandchildren. He is also survived by his parents, Reverend Merritt Strickland and wife Mary, and by one brother, Steve Strickland and wife Janis of Mt. Vernon. He was preceded in death by one sister, Terri Lynn Strickland. Visitation will be held Saturday November 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. For more information, you may call Newell Funeral Home at 246-0100 or visit at www.newellfuneralhome.com.