Michael J. Moore

Michael J. Moore, age 70 years, a resident of rural Vienna, passed away Sunday afternoon, June 14, 2015, at 4:47 PM at Kindred Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Mike was born April 4, 1945 in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was the son of Thomas and Alice (Pye) Moore. On March 1, 1969, Mike was united in marriage to Sabra K. Hill in Albany, New York. She survives. Other survivors include: his children – Elizabeth Moore of Alton and Thomas Moore, and wife Tokiko, of Bloomington, Indiana; 3 grandchildren – Gabriel Starrick, Mary Kate Starrick, and Thomas Kaisei Moore. Also, Mike was anticipating the upcoming birth of twin grandchildren, Michael Kenta Moore and Mina Lucy Moore. Additionally, Mike is survived by his 2 sisters – Joan Goodnough, and husband Paul, of Angier, North Carolina and Mary Moore of North Syracuse, New York; 2 brothers-in-law – Thomas Hill of Vienna and Malcolm Hill, and wife Joyce, of Chichester, England; 2 sisters-in-law – Linda Monroe, and husband Leighton, of Goodland, Florida and Debra O’Neil, and husband T.J., of Lima, New York; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers – Thomas Moore and Patrick Moore. Mike served honorably as a special agent in military intelligence in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from The State University of New York at Oswego in 1968 and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the McLaughlin School of Business St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa in 2000. He also received a Master of Online Teaching Certificate from the University of Illinois in 2007. Mike had a passion for Education and is remembered for “his love of teaching and learning.” He served as a house parent at the Cunningham Children’s Home in Champaign/Urbana. Mike served from 1969 – 1974 as an adult educator, GED and staff coordinator at Urbana District # 116. He later developed the computer based education system for the Vienna Correctional Center. Mike taught 5th – 8th grades at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Herrin from 1986 - 1992 and retired from the Cairo Public School System. From 1975-1993, Mike served SIU, Shawnee Community College, Rend Lake Community College and Southeastern Illinois Community College as a part-time and evening instructor in the Political Science, History and Math departments. He had served for 10 years as the Director of Field Services for the American Rental Association in Moline. Mike also served Shawnee Community College as a Business and Industry coordinator. Mike was very community and civic minded. He had been involved in many organizations and served in numerous capacities, namely – Chairman of the Board of the Vienna Correctional Center (now River-To-River) Credit Union from 1975-1993, former State President of the Illinois Adult Education Association, and for a number of years, he served on the board of the Illinois Rural Letter Carriers Association Auxiliary and had the distinction of being the first male president of that association. Mike had also served as a former Simpson Democratic Precinct Committeeman. He, along with Sabra, were early proponents, organizers, and Emergency Medical Technicians with the Johnson County Ambulance Service. Mike was a faithful parishioner of St. Paul Catholic Church. He had served on the parish council and was a liturgical music coordinator as well as a lector. Mike was a 4th Degree Member of the Marion Council 6210 Knights of Columbus. Mike loved music. He played the guitar and more recently was learning to play the piano. Mike had a deep sense of family and enjoyed time spent among his family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Saturday morning, June 20, 2015, at 11 AM at St. Paul Catholic Church, 2020 State Route 146 East, Vienna, Illinois. Father Tom Barrett will officiate. The family will receive friends Friday evening, June 19, 2015, from 5 PM – 8 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. A prayer service will be held at 8:15 PM Friday evening at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the St. Paul Catholic Church music program. Memorial Donations for either may be left in care of Bailey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 695, Vienna, Illinois 62995.

Michael J. Moore

April 4, 1945 - June 14, 2015