Mike Troquille fixes sewers for the city of Festus. When his wife, Sandra, died of heart disease six months ago at the age of 37, he quickly began the process of fixing his family too. In his oldest daughter, Courtney's, words, "We grieved and then we moved on."

Sandra's absence is always felt but Mike has instilled his perseverance and stoicism in his children. Sandra and Mike had three children together: Courtney, age 16, Jordan, age 12, and Cassie, age 7.

Mike Troquille surveys a sewer repair in Festus, Missouri, October 2, 2009.