Michael J. Eden, 81, passed away peacefully with his wife, Marty,  by his side on Thursday, April 10 at his home in Springfield.  He was born on January 9,1944 in Topeka, Kansas to James D. and Billie Eden and was a graduate of Topeka West High School and Washburn University. His parents wanted him to pursue a law degree, but Mike saw his future in business and became a traveling salesman in the wholesale grocery business. With the war in Viet Nam expanding, Mike joined the Kansas National Guard.  His stories of deployments to “summer camp” were legendary. 

Mike was working the Springfield area when he met Martha Jayne Twyford, and they were married on September 22, 1978.  They settled in Springfield, and Mike became the proprietor of “Industrial Packaging” which supplied area manufacturers and wholesalers with shipping materials. 

Mike and “Marty” were Charter Members at Highland Springs Country Club. They donated their time to several community nonprofits. Through the years, they had many dogs and cats – all “rescued” animals  –  of unknown pedigree. 

Mike was a “car guy.”  He enjoyed driving fast, quality automobiles and throughout his life owned many Porsche and BMW models.  He was proud to be a 50- year member of the Porsche Club of America and organized the Ozark Lakes Region of the PCA when he first moved to Springfield.  He was also a past member of the Sports Car Club of America and raced a Alfa Romeo spider in SCCA events across the Midwest. For many years, he made an annual “pilgrimage” to the Monterey Peninsula in California for the August historic sports car races, shows and auctions.  He enjoyed chatting about all performance cars and remembering the Porsches and BMWs he had owned.  As he grew older, he would often say “I drove great cars!” 

Mike is survived by his wife of 46 years, Martha Jayne Twyford Eden, two sisters-in-law, Gloria Kowan and Lesa Knight, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Allen Twyford. 

Friends will gather to celebrate Mike’s life at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 27th at Greenlawn Funeral Home East in Springfield.  Refreshments will be served.  Anyone wishing to remember Mike might consider a donation to a local pet rescue organization such as Rescue One (rescueonespringfield.com.)