MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: A Wisconsin teenager reportedly saved his mother's life by donating his organs after his death earlier in July in a sawmill accident. Michael "Mikey" Schuls, 16, of Florence, died on July 1, two days after being trapped between equipment at Florence Hardwoods.
According to the Florence County Sheriff's Office, Mikey was jammed into the equipment while attempting to extricate a wood-stacking machine when the conveyor belt he was standing on shifted, per the New York Post.
Who was Michael Schuls?
According to the statement, Mikey was stuck in the machine for 17 minutes until a coworker discovered him. He was sent to a hospital in Milwaukee, where he died due to "traumatic asphyxiation." Florence County Coroner Jeff Rickaby told the Associated Press this week, "That's caused by entanglement in a machine." At least seven additional people, including his mother, Stephanie, will get the four-sport athlete's organs.
Mikey's father, Jim, told WBAY this week, "Lucky enough, his mom was the perfect match for his liver. And seven or eight other families received life. He delivered the miracle we prayed for for seven other families, including his mother. That's what's keeping me going."
Jim said that he was at Florence Hardware the day of the accident. He was seen wearing a "#MIKEYSTRONG" T-shirt and wristband during the interview. He said, "I work at the same company where none of us would ever put our children in that position if we knew. They're brokenhearted as well, as I am. I grew up in this community; I worked in this company for six years. They've done great things for me. I'm not faulting anybody."
In a Facebook post, Jim blamed himself for Mikey's death. He wrote, " How do I ever forgive myself for not being there when you needed me most I'm so broken."
Later on, remembering his son, Jim told WBAY, "I'm telling you, if you could've met this young man, his heart was so pure. Wouldn't hurt nobody, didn't do nothing wrong," the father told WBAY.
'Life is too short — do it anyway'
The town's efforts to support the family in the wake of Mikey's death also moved him. The teenager's favorite proverb, "Life is too short — do it anyway," is emblazoned on a sign in Florence, along with the words "Fly high, Mikey. You will never be forgotten ."
According to his obituary, Mikey was a student at Florence High School, where he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He was one of 11 biological and step-siblings living in Wisconsin and Michigan. He was regarded by the family as the "absolutely best son, brother, uncle, and friend." In the weeks following the accident, Mikey's elder brother, Kaden, has posted several heartfelt posts on Facebook in his memory.
Kaden, who welcomed his first child a week before Mikey's death, wrote on Tuesday, July 11, "This has been the longest 10 days of my life. I hope I don't always feel like this." Cpl. Jacob Metz, who spoke to the Green Bay Press-Gazette this week, said the Florence County Sheriff's Office finished its investigation into the tragedy, but a federal inquiry was still ongoing. According to Jordan Davis, Florence Hardwoods' office manager, the firm was "absolutely" cooperating with the procedures.
A memorial for Mikey is scheduled for Saturday, July 15, at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home in Florence. A GoFundMe set up for the his family exceeded its $10,000 target as of July 14.
