With Jenny by his side, Michael Calhoun died March 21, 2015, at Hospice House in Hutchinson. Mike was born Sept. 13, 1952, in Emporia. Practicing Optometry since 1977, moving to Hutchinson in 1990.On Aug. 31, 1985, he married Jennifer Graham from Overland Park. They divorced in 2007, however remained very dear friends. No children but many rescued animals.He helped many people but never spoke about it. Tuition for school, books and so on. He leaves behind Jennifer Calhoun-Pihl of Tucson, Ariz. Mike became great friends with her husband, Tom.He also leaves behind his father, Don Calhoun of Burlington; brother, Rick Calhoun of Wayzata, Minn.; sister-in-law, Sue Calhoun of Kansas City, Mo.; niece, Casey Calhoun of Prairie Village; nephew, Blake Calhoun and wife Stephanie of St. Louis, Mo. He was preceded in death by his mother, Pat Nevins Calhoun.Jenny would like everyone to know that depression kills. Please seek help if afflicted.A celebration of Mike's life will be held in Tucson, Ariz.Donations may be made to Humane Society of your choice, The Humane Society of the United States or Hospice House of Hutchinson.***Not In The Paper:Mike and I continued to work together until his death. When I moved to AZ in 2013. We would Skype/Face time, at least 3 times a day, me also showing him the animals! He was not supposed to die. a total shock. I had to do things I never thought I would be doing, making decisions about him and so on. I am still continuing to do them. My husband flew in for a few days to help me. I was blessed to have a group of Mennonite women pray with me one morning. I called his family, I told his brother, there are no do overs in death. I kept them up to date on everything. I was able to tell Mike what they wanted to say. I was able to sleep in his room in a recliner next to him. Hospice was wonderful. Mike was not only my husband from 1985-2007, but a good friend. I never knew how depressed he was until I went up to close the business and looked at the house we once shared. I felt so sorry for this man. However one day when we were talking, he was smiling and I asked "why are you smiling?" "Because I am happy" he replied.That was worth so much to me. We had many talks, and sometime I would just hold his hand. He did towards the end see people who had passed prior. Once, I was holding his hand and told him to "just let go" he raised his hand and said "let go" I was not holding his hand. He told me who he saw. I asked him to please cross over, that all the animals he had rescued were waiting to welcome him home. The nurses and minister at Hospice House said they did not know why he was holding on for so long. I guess he was just not ready. I would play his favorite music. I witnessed to him. I would not change a thing. Except for having the time to look for more personal things of his. That is the hardest part. His passion was animals and saving them. That is where his money was spent. Fine with me! I used to joke that our house had a light that only animals in need of a home could see. they would just come to our house! We welcomed them with love, good food, anything they needed. I used to joke we built the Vet's office and should have our own parking spot. I hope Mike is up with the animals.