John “Mike” Leahy Jr., age 51, of Barneveld, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026, after a courageous fight with gastrointestinal cancer. He was born on August 8, 1974, in Clearwater, Fla., the son of John and Sharon (Stoll) Leahy.
Mike graduated from Janesville Parker High School in 1992. From there, he married Kari Cody and had two beautiful daughters, Mikenzie and Isabel. After several years of marriage, Kari and Mike parted ways. Eventually, Mike met Amber Starr, his eternal soulmate, who he later married in 2019. They too had two wonderful children, Memphis and Phoenix. Both families were dedicated to raising their children together and always put family first. Mike also extended his love by helping raise their niece, Nevaeh. For him, family was his number one pride and joy. Mike loved his family more than anything.
Throughout his working years, Mike held a variety of positions. But most recently, he was an Assembly Technician at Vortex Optics in Barneveld, a position that he was extremely proud of. In his free time, Mike was an avid Detroit Lions football fan and loved football season. Mike liked to go camping with his family and friends, play video games, listen to music, play guitar, shoot guns on the range, and ride his motorcycle. Mike was known to sing karaoke occasionally and the song he was most known to sing was “Higher” by Creed. He also loved just sitting around a fire in the yard with the people he loved most. Mike had a passion for cooking even though it took him a while to perfect his skills – he loved providing for his family. He also enjoyed attending his children’s many events as they grew up. He was so proud of his kids and their many different interests and talents. Mike kept his friend group close to his heart, considering them to be family as well. He also had a good relationship with God and held tight to that for the last several years. Mike was able to be a cornea and tissue donor for the Lions Eye Bank and would have been proud to know that he improved someone else’s life.
Mike is survived by his wife, Amber; children, Mikenzie, Isabel, Memphis and Phoenix; siblings, Rob (Becky) Leahy, Sheryl (Brian) Funk, and Michelle (Phil) Clairmont; nieces and nephews, Nevaeh Hinrichs, Braylon and Brody Leahy, Luke and Ella Herricks, Anthony Leahy, Jazmine Hudson, Ryan Funk and Courtney LaFleur; and former spouse and mother of his first two children, Kari (Tim) Breuer.
Mike’s family would like to thank the nurses at Mercy One Cancer Center in Dubuque, Iowa, and Upland Hills Hospital and Clinics in Dodgeville, Wis. Also, thank you to all the individuals that have extended their love through thoughts, prayers, food, monetary donations and help with transportation to appointments. Last but not least, thank you to Vortex Optics for all the love and support shown to Mike and his family.
A celebration of life will be held at Barneveld Legion Hall, 102 Wood St., Barneveld, at 1 p.m. on Mike’s birthday, Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Funeral & Cremation care
500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, WI
(608) 437-5077