Michael H. Passwaters

     Michael H. Passwaters of Ridgely, MD, passed away at his home on Thursday, March 19, 2026. He was 76 years old.

     Born at home in Ridgely on May 28, 1949, Mike was the son of the late Harrison William Passwaters and Ruth Ann Councell Passwaters. His previous wife, Bonnie Faye Passwaters, passed away on April 27, 2021.

     Mike was a 1967 graduate of NCHS near Ridgely. He was a US Marine Corps veteran and served in Vietnam. He had worked in Environmental Services with General Foods then Kraft Foods before retiring in 2006 after 37 years. He had a great interest in cars, attending many car shows with his immaculate 1965 GTO. He had owned and operated Mike and Harry’s ARCO in Ridgely, and enjoyed crafts, woodworking, home building, car repairs for friends, and generally making things. But most of all, he loved his family dearly.

     Mike is survived by his long-time partner, Donna Murphy-Miedl of Ridgely; two daughters, Stacy Twigg (David) of Ridgely and Angela Winchester of Ridgely; a sister, Barbara J. Thompson (Ronnie) of Ridgely; two stepchildren: Heather Keller (Mike), and Wade Murphy (Carin) and their children, Austin and Aspen; four grandchildren: Blake Kinnamon (Alex), Luke Kinnamon (Gillian), Cassidy Winchester (Mike), and Mary Winchester (Tyler); and five great grandchildren: Kaizen, Myla, Paislie, Mateo, and Matilda. In addition to his wife and parents, Mike was preceded in death by a son, Michael Christian Passwaters.

     The funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 24th, at the Moore Funeral Home, P.A., located at 12 South Second Street in Denton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 until 8 on Monday evening and from 10 until 11 before the service. The interment will be in the Ridgely Cemetery.

     If friends wish to send a donation in memory of Mike, the family suggests sending them to the Ridgely Volunteer Fire Co., 101 Sunset Blvd, Ridgely, MD 21660 or to Caroline American Legion Post 29, PO Box 58, Denton, MD 21629.

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