Michael Greg Waugh, born September 5, 1973, died by suicide on July 1st, 2026. He was 52. Mike was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is loved, missed, mourned and remembered.
Mike was born in Atlantic Iowa and spent the majority of his early life in Jefferson Iowa, graduating from Jefferson-Scranton High School in 1992. He was active, playing baseball, basketball, football, golf and participating in track & field throughout his school years and into college, and also participating in a community production of Oliver Twist, playing the title character. Mike attended Wartburg College and later earned an associate’s degree from Purdue University in Building & Construction Management. After a few years “swinging a hammer” as he referred to it, he moved into the estimating side of the business, working for several custom cabinetry companies throughout his career.
Mike was incredibly bright, possessing a tremendous mind for facts & figures, as well as trivia – a trait and love he shared with his dad. He was also musically talented (also shared with his dad), with a beautiful singing voice and a passion for the guitar and for writing song lyrics. A huge sports fan, he was a dedicated supporter of the Iowa Hawkeyes (though early in life he claimed the Cyclones to torment his sister) and the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent many enjoyable hours “talking shop”, watching games, researching mock drafts and rosters, celebrating victories and lamenting defeats (as well as poor coaching decisions). An avid fisherman, he plied his craft and traded fish tales in bodies of water across Iowa, Wyoming, Canada and Florida.
Mike is survived by his mom Julia Whitehouse, his siblings Trisha Pipkins and husband James Pipkins, Jonathon Waugh, Mark Waugh and wife Emily Oh, his dad’s widow Marcia Waugh, his step-siblings Jim Martin, Jason Martin, Teri Bowlin and husband Brad Bowlin, his nieces & nephews Jaryn Pipkins, Trey Pipkins and wife Taylor Pipkins, Jack Bowlin, Payton Bowlin, Aria Waugh and his faithful dog Loni, as well as many other family and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his birth mother Terri (Biggs) Waugh, his father Jerry Waugh, his paternal grandparents Clarence and Mary Waugh, his maternal grandparents Robert and Caroline Biggs, Julia’s husband Mike Whitehouse, and his beloved dog Cubbie.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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