Obituary of Michael Alan Gordon

Michael A. Gordon, 73, of Chillicothe, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born in Canton on August 13, 1951, to Russel M. and Mary (Westerfield) Gordon. He married his wife of 41 years, JoAnne Wren, in Chillicothe on June 11, 1983; she survives. Also surviving are his sons, Michael “Alan” Gordon of Dayton, OH and Jeffrey Gordon, of Prescott, AZ; his siblings, Pat (John) Plumer of Tremont, Rennee (Herb) Mathis Purvis of Maryville, MO, Russel “Murry” (Colleen) Gordon of Mathis, TX, and Sandy (Dean) Powell of Canton; 5 grandchildren, Natausha (Todd) Tingle of East Peoria, Brienna Riley of Pekin, Ashley (Jacob) Dennis of Schertz, TX, and Stevie Gordon of Peoria and Mikayla Gordon of Peoria;10 great grandchildren, Jayston, Zach, Seceonna, Holden, Brishon, Jackie, Azariah, Harrison, Za’myah, and Rowan; and many nieces and nephews, some by blood and some honorary. Mike and JoAnne were also foster parents to 13 children over a twenty-year period and have been blessed to still have some of them in their lives today. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Steven Gordon. Mike worked at Caterpillar as a machine repairman, retiring in 2011. In his younger years, Mike loved to fish, golf, and play baseball. He was also in Jaycees and enjoyed playing in a bowling league and a dart league. Later in life, he loved to read and sing karaoke. He was a favorite in Rockport! He loved wintering in Texas with JoAnne and really cherished all the friends they made in Rockport. Most of all, Mike enjoyed his family, including his dogs, Max and Molly. He liked “pretending” to be a grinch, but he loved his wife, kids, and grandkids more than anything. In a final act of kindness, Mike was an organ and tissue donor through Gift of Hope, who shared that through his selfless gift, he will benefit the lives of up to 75 people. Cremation rites have been accorded. Cremation Specialist of Central Illinois is assisting the family. There will be a Celebration of Life from 12-3 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the VFW Post 4999 at 1729 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Chillicothe, IL, 61523. All are welcome to attend and share memories of Mike. Online condolences may be left at www.CSofIL.com.