Mike Ulmer

Mike Ulmer, age 71, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away at 11:46 p.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025, at his home. He was born January 15, 1954, in Columbus, Kansas, the son of Roy and Mary Ann (Loucks) Ulmer. 

Mike was a 1972 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. Mike was the second-generation owner and operator of Ulmer Excavating (Est. 1965) in Mt. Vernon, where he took over the company in 1994 until present day. Mike was a Professional Rodeo Clown for 35 years. He was voted five times to work the International Finals Rodeo, voted two times as IPRA Rodeo Clown of the Year, voted 14 times to clown the American Finals Rodeo, twice he clowned the World Finals, voted for multiple other awards in local associations, and served as president of the American Cowboys Rodeo Association for ten years. Mike had the privilege of clowning and fighting bulls for the World’s Toughest Rodeo and getting to clown Madison Square Garden twice, including being flown by Stetson for Stetson’s World’s Toughest Rodeo float in the Macy’s Day Parade. Mike got to be seen nationwide on the Today show as a guest and was able to do the weather report. He later found a love of muscle cars and joined a local Pontiac chapter, where he participated in car shows all across the United States. Mike was a partner in putting on the local Apple Butter Days Car Show for many years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, where he was a volunteer leader for many years in the youth group. 

On January 31, 1984, Mike met the love of his life Debbie Cowan. Four months later on June 1, 1984, they were married in Carthage, Missouri. 

Mike is survived by his wife of 41 years, Debbie; one son, Colten Ulmer and his wife, Danielle; his father, Roy Ulmer; and two grandsons, Reed and West Ulmer, all of Mt. Vernon, Missouri. Mike’s greatest joy was his family. He was a loving husband, father, son, and his greatest title, Papa, to his grandsons. 

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann Ulmer; father and mother-in-law, Lee and Dorothy Cowan; several trick dogs; and famous trick pony Scamp. 

A visitation under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the church, with burial to follow at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.