Michael Paul Alley

Michael Paul Alley, age 74, passed away on April 20th, 2026 in Fairfield, Ohio. He was a genuinely beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son, and friend.

Born in Wilmington, Ohio on April 2nd, 1952 to Lela Brown Alley and Rolland Alley, Mike grew up a country boy in Morrow, graduated from Little Miami High School, and lived the rest of his life in Lebanon. A stranger to no one, he made friends everywhere he went, from gas station clerks to fellow grocery shoppers, and was known for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor. It was his mission to put a smile on people’s faces. He enjoyed camping, boating, hunting, cooking, and in his younger years even skydiving.

Mike was widely known and respected for his incredible work ethic. A skilled carpenter, he started his contractor business in 1977 at age 25, which he ran successfully for 45 years until his retirement in 2022. He and his crews built it all, from back porch decks to multi-million-dollar Home-a-Rama homes. His crews included many family members over the years, including both of his sons, a grandson, nephews, and his brother David, who worked with Mike for all of those 45 years.

Mike’s work ethic was surpassed only by his love for his family. He married Jeri Lynn Little in 1977 and for 45 years they built their great life together, until her passing in 2022. He was the rock of the family and set the best example of what it means to dedicate one’s life to family. Every member of his family knew that they could always count on Mike, no matter what.

Mike’s greatest construction accomplishment was his family’s home, which he built in 1988, and where he raised his children and lived until his death. The house served as the gathering place for hundreds of holiday meals, birthday parties, fish fries, and memorable July 4th and Super Bowl parties. Stop by any given Sunday and you might find cousins riding four-wheelers, grandsons tinkering in the barn, or an old friend stopping by to chat on the screened-in porch.

He was also a loyal friend, maintaining lasting friendships from his youth and younger years for the entirety of his life. He was always available to lend an ear, offer wise advice, or give a helping hand to get you out of a sticky situation. He was truly a stranger to no one, and once he was your friend, he was a friend ‘til the end. He will be deeply, incredibly missed by all who knew him.

Michael was preceded in death by his wife Jeri Alley, son Nicholas Alley, brother Dewey Alley, brother Phillip Alley, and his mother and father. He leaves behind his brother David (Phyllis) Alley, sister Linda Alley Wallingford, and sister-in-law Robin Plummer; son Michael Shannon (Kyla) Alley, daughter Mica (Earl) Nelson, daughter Caitlyn Alley (Paul) Peña, and daughter-in-law Julie Alley; his eleven grandchildren Jacob, Avery, Gabriella, and Rhylee Alley; John Bates; Austin and Brycen Alley; Chloe and Matthew Nelson; and Hugo and Jude Peña; great-grandchild Aurora Nichols; and beloved nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Saturday, April 25th from 10:00-11:30, followed by a service at 11:30 at The Community Church, 726 East Main Street, Suite 14, Colony Square, Lebanon, Ohio.

Flowers can be sent to the church or a donation made to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation, in honor of Mike.