Michael J. Gresham

Michael J. Gresham, 52, of Washington, IL passed away at 1:40 pm Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was born November 4, 1968, in Peoria, the son of Larry and Mary Hinton Gresham.

In 1989, Mike met the love of his life, Jaylinn, and they married December 28,1991 at Schofield Barracks HI. They were blessed with their children Haley in 1992 and Dylan, in 1994. Surviving is his wife, one daughter Haley Gresham of Lafayette, CO; one son Dylan Gresham of Washington, three grandchildren, Maci, Kamden, and Noa. Also surviving is his dad Larry (Jamie) Gresham of Washington, one brother, Todd (Kelly), Gresham of Lima, OH; five sisters Jennifer Heyder of Washington, IL, Tracy Rose Gresham of Peoria, Melinda (Josh) Worsham of Washington, Bibbie Wilson of Morton, and Pattie Frye of East Peoria.

Mike was active duty in the U.S. Army from July 2, 1987, until his honorable discharge on July 29, 1995. He began at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and chose an assignment in Hawaii. Mike was an E-5 in the engineer core/construction. He traveled to the South Pacific to the Marshall Islands, Madagascar, and Thailand. Several of his assignments were building schools and homes for the underprivileged.

Mike spent the last two years of service in Massachusetts. He then joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1997 and discharged in 2003. During those years, they lived in California, Georgia, and Maryland, eventually moving home to Illinois in 2003.

After leaving active duty, Mike worked in sales, Caterpillar Tractor Co. and FedEx. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and politics on television. Mike loved hanging out with family and friends, camping, country music, and traveling. He also enjoyed good beer, playing slots machines, and his garage. Mike adored his wife, kids, grandbabies, and his dogs.

A visitation will be Friday, July 16, 2021, from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington. A funeral service will be 6:00 pm also at the funeral home. Cremation rites will follow his service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be given to OSF Children's Hospital of Illinois. To share a memory or send a condolence to his family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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