Michael E. "Mike" Fraker
Michael Eugene “Mike” Fraker, son of Donald William and Ada Lois (Rost) Fraker, was born June 12, 1955 in Fort Campbell, KY. He passed away at 2:56 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026 in Cox Medical Center South, Springfield at the age of 70.
Mike grew up in Marshfield, Missouri. He met Julie McMillen in August 1977, and just three months later, on October 31st, they married. Together they raised two beautiful daughters and built a family in which he took immense pride.
As a longtime local contractor, Mike specialized in building churches throughout the area. He was especially proud of completing the Sac River Cowboy Church, where he and Julie became devoted members. In the 1980s, Mike founded The Midwest Messengers, a Southern Gospel Quartet that ministered through music for many years, touching countless lives.
Mike loved entertaining and had a remarkable gift for preparing any variety of meat you could imagine. Saturday mornings found his shop transformed into a gathering place where neighbors and friends shared coffee and conversation.
But Mike's favorite role in life was being "Pappy" to his four grandchildren. He cherished every moment spent untangling fishing lines, giving golf cart tours, playing Catchphrase (albeit reluctantly at times), and cheering them on at sporting events and school programs—even from those tiny, cramped auditorium chairs.
Mike's strong and persistent presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but we find comfort knowing he is at peace with his Heavenly Family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Fred and Irene Fraker and R.K. and Josie Rost; and his mother-in-law, Rose Ann Edwards.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Julie; two daughters, Annie Smith of Fordland and Callie Mitchell and her husband Jeff of Nixa; four grandchildren, Grant Smith and his wife Grace of Peculiar, MO, Sara Smith of Fordland, Dylan Mabe of Nixa, and Avid Mitchell of Nixa; two brothers, Lyndall Fraker and his wife Melanie of Marshfield and Barth Fraker of Springfield; an aunt, Phoebe Cleir of Marshfield, and uncle, Donald Rost and his wife Leona of Marshfield. He is also survived by Julie's siblings: Andy McMillen and his wife Charlotte of Castle Rock, CO, Jeff McMillen of Loch Loyd, MO, Larry McMillen of Springfield, Jim McMillen and his wife Rochelle of Arlington, TX, and Cindy Lord and her husband Jim of Roseville, CA; along with many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2026 in the Sac River Cowboy Church, 6448 State Highway EE, Springfield, MO, under the direction of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., Marshfield, MO.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time Friday at the Church.
Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026 in the Marshfield Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Don and Lois Fraker Scholarship (Marshfield Public Schools Foundation) or the Lena Zongker Scholarship (CoxHealth Foundation) in care of Fraker Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO 65706.