Michael Sobieniak Obituary-Death News; Michael F. Sobieniak Jr Cause of Death – Michael ‘Mike Cabover Cowboy’ Sobieniak Dies at 50
Michael F. Sobieniak Jr., affectionately known by many as the “Cabover Cowboy,” passed away at the age of 50 on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at his home in Toledo, Ohio.
Born on November 14, 1974, in Toledo to Michael Sr. and Joanne (Kurtzman) Sobieniak, Mike lived a life defined by hard work, horsepower, and heart. Trucking was not just a profession for Mike — it was a way of life.
From the time he could first turn a wrench, he was drawn to the world of diesel engines, chrome stacks, and the open road. His first rig, a 1969 Diamond Rio driven for Jack Gray Transport, was more than a vehicle — it was the beginning of a lifelong journey that would shape who he was and how he would be remembered.
In the early 2000s, Mike founded Sobieniak Trucking, a company built from the ground up through grit, determination, and a deep understanding of the trucking industry. Under his leadership, what began with one truck quickly grew into a successful fleet.
He took immense pride in his work, treating his trucks and his team like family. Among them all, one truck held a special place in his heart — “His Baby,” a 1982 K100 Kenworth cabover that he lovingly maintained for decades. It was his final wish to take one last ride in that truck, a symbol of everything he loved and built.
Known for his big personality and even bigger heart, Mike made an impression everywhere he went. His laugh, his stories, and his unwavering work ethic left a legacy in both the trucking world and the lives of those who knew him.
He could talk shop for hours, share stories from the road, and offer a helping hand to anyone who needed it — whether it was a friend or a fellow trucker broken down on the side of the highway.
Mike’s greatest pride, however, was not in chrome or horsepower but in his family. He is survived by his beloved children Kennedy, Ketchen, and Kwin Sobieniak, who brought him endless joy and pride.
He also leaves behind his father Michael Sobieniak Sr. (Beth Cunningham), sister Lori (Peter) Mendel, brothers Mark and Christopher Sobieniak, and cherished niece and nephew Leoni and Noah Mendel. His mother, Joanne Sobieniak, preceded him in death.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate Mike’s life at Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St., Sylvania, OH, on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m.. All are welcome to attend and honor a man whose life was lived on his own terms and full of drive, both literal and metaphorical.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Toledo Humane Society, a cause close to Mike’s heart.
Mike Sobieniak Jr. was more than just a skilled trucker and business owner — he was a father, a brother, a friend, and a man of passion and principle. He lived full throttle, loved deeply, and left behind a legacy that will continue down every road he once traveled.
