Michael A. Elam's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Michael Allen "Pappy" Elam, age 55 of Hutton, was fatally injured due to a motorcycle accident on Friday, May 26, 2017. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. The funeral service honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 200 Charleston Avenue in Mattoon, Illinois with Reverend Adam Jacobsen officiating. Burial will follow in Sand Creek Cemetery located in Shelby County northwest of Windsor, Illinois. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the Michael Elam Scholarship Fund. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or funeral service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Mike was born January 21, 1962 in Urbana, Illinois, the son of James Edward and Yvonne (Smith) Elam. He married Sandy Harl on April 5, 1985 in a little country church near Owaneco, Illinois and they recently celebrated 32 years of marriage and friendship. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sandy; their daughter, Emily Elam of Urbana, Illinois; his parents, Jim and Yvonne "Bonnie" Elam of Owaneco, Illinois; a sister, Cindy Kuipers and husband David of Danforth, Illinois; a brother, Ed Elam and wife Patty of Moweaqua, Illinois; his mother-in-law, Betty Harl of Charleston; two sisters-in-law, Mary Smallwood and husband Steve of Westfield, Illinois and Valerie Kauffman and husband Duane of Sullivan, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Bailey Elam. Mike was a 1979 graduate of Assumption High School. He attained an associate's degree from Lake Land College and received his Board of Governor's degree from Eastern Illinois University. He was also a graduate of the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois and eventually became a part-time instructor. Mike was employed with the Eastern Illinois University Police for 25 years during which time he was a member of the East Central Illinois Task Force. Since 2004 he has also assisted the City of Windsor as a police officer and since his retirement from E.I.U. in 2014 has been employed with the Security Department of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Mike was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mattoon; the Fraternal Order of Police, the local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Lincoln Heritage Chapter of Pheasants Forever which honored him as the Coles County Conservationist of the Year. He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and with Sandy by his side as a coach for STRIDE. Mike was an outdoorsman with a variety of interests such as bow hunting, fishing, bee keeping and making houses for the birds he enjoyed watching. His involvement with Civil War re-enactments landed him and Sandy an appearance in the movie North and South. Mike was good at making the world a better place - both environmentally and for his fellow man. His respect for those who are first responders prompted him to organize and host dinners in their honor after the 9/11 attack. He was responsible for planting trees and sowing prairie grass and showing others how to live life to its fullest. Mike was a role model for many and someone to be admired. His humility and ever present positive attitude, his sense of humor even in adverse situations, his never ending patience, along with his support and protective spirit created a life-long friend for many. He was best described by his coworkers at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center as the "light of the night shift" . Mike owned many titles such as friend, coworker, police officer, teacher, son, brother and uncle, but husband and dad were his most beloved. His family was always his priority and Sandy and Emily were the light of his life. Mike's goodness will continue to be a positive influence in our world through the lives he touched. May the hearts of all that knew Mike be comforted as they experience the gift of remembering and as they recount their many wonderful times shared. Click to view Family Memorial Video. SERVICES Visitation Wednesday, May 31, 2017 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Adams Funeral Chapel 2330 SHAWNEE DR CHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Funeral Service Thursday, June 01, 2017 10:00 AM St. John's Lutheran Church 200 Broadway Avenue Mattoon, Illinois 61938
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