Photo courtesy of Adams Funeral Chapel - Charleston
Feb 24, 1953 - Nov 18, 2017
Rockport, Texas, September 2017
I had the pleasure of serving with Mike on my first Samiaritan's Purse disaster relief deployment, which was in Texas in September of this year. I'm so glad I got to work with him and got to know him. I was looking forward to working with him on future deployments; I'll just have to wait awhile longer to see him again. Mike, you'll be missed here.
Bonnie Talik
November 28, 2017 | MO | Friend
My son Jordan and I served with Mike in Portland TX. Mike was a blessing and served the Lord with his whole heart, mind, soul and strength. Jordan saw Mike again a few weeks ago serving with SP in Portland. We bunked with Mike. He was so proud of his wife and children. We are so thankful that we crossed paths with Mike. He is special.
He will be missed here but he is making crosses with a chainsaw and Jesus in heaven.
Gary Riddell RRT
Gary Riddell
November 23, 2017
I always had great affection for Mike. From growing up on Christine Drive to our periodic encounters while passing through our continuing lives. I am so not surprised by what I have seen and read here. Mike, you evolved into quite a man!! My deepest condolences to your family!!
mike Feriozzi
November 23, 2017 | Springfield, IL
I had the opportunity to meet Mike at a couple of the deployments I was on as a chaplain, most recently in Rockport Texas. Psalm 78: 72- So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. Mike had skillfulness of hands- a master of the chain saw, and integrity of heart in his witness. I will miss his humor and willing heart to serve our Lord.
David Fitzgerald
November 22, 2017 | St. Ann, MO
Sorry to hear about Mike's passing. He was great to be with on deployments with Samaritan s Purse. May God bring comfort to his family during this time of sorrow and grieving.
RRT Chaplain, Al New
Al New
November 22, 2017 | Kingsport, TN
It was our privilege and joy to serve with Mike on several SP deployments, most recently in Rockport, TX. Our last memory of Mike was meeting him on his last Sunday there at a home where the homeowner had expressed a desire to have a cross cut into the tree stump in her yard. He was doing this on his "day off" which characterized Mike as he went above and beyond in his service to his Savior. Our condolences to Mike's family, church family, and friends as we pray for you at this time,
Rick and Gay Carter
November 22, 2017 | Marble, NC
I was blessed to serve with Mike on two of his deployments with Samaritan's Purse. He would point out that I didn't actually serve alongside him; I was merely there as a Chaplain. His effervescent personality never failed to fill a room with his love and humor. He is and will be missed. I weep with you for his present loss, but rejoice with you that we will see him again!
Mark Davison
November 22, 2017 | Riverside, CA
I had the great honor of working with Mike my brother in Christ. Mike loved to joke around with us all and was smiling almost nonstop. I always looked for him at our Samaritan purse deployments and loved sharing stories of salvations. I will miss you Mike but I know your smiling from heaven now. My prayers go out to his loving family and friends thank you for sharing him with us. I'll see you later my Brother love Daniel van lannen
Daniel Van Lannen
November 22, 2017 | 545 Fair Winds Ln, Green Bay, WI
I was shocked to hear of Mike's passing last Saturday. I was able to serve with him on a number of deployments and his love of God and his family was most evident. Rest in peace now Mike.
Michael Brunelli
November 22, 2017 | Cedar Rapids, IA
CHARLESTON, IL – Michael Andrew Gann, age 64 of Charleston, entered his Heavenly Home on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at Charleston Community Church, 2360 Shawnee Drive in Charleston. Memorial Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening with Pastor Bill Hall officiating. It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in Mike’s honor be made to the Charleston Community Church. Gifts may be left at the visitation or service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
Mike was born February 24, 1953 in Evanston, Illinois and is the son of the late O.L. “Bud” and Anne (Hughes) Gann. He married Laurie A. Jordan on August 18, 1990 at the Charleston Community Church. Mike is survived by Laurie, his loving and devoted wife of 27 years; three sons of which he was so proud, Adam Gann of Charleston, Drake Gann currently serving with the United States Marine Corps, and Conor Gann of Charleston; and two sisters.
Mike was a graduate of St. Teresa High School in Decatur, Illinois where he played football and was a proud Bulldog alumni. He furthered his education at Eastern Illinois University where he attained a Bachelor’s Degree in history and a teaching certification. He was a teacher with Eastern Illinois Area Special Education (EIASE) prior to his retirement. Mike was a man who possessed a deep and abiding faith and was a member of the Charleston Community Church family where he served as a trustee. Mike also had a huge heart for helping others. He was always ready, often times with chainsaw in hand, as a volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse to assist with disaster relief and to offer help and hope to suffering people in a broken world. Mike served more than 18 deployments in 11 different locations since 2015. He was also devoted to Weekend Gatherings and the Great Banquet which focuses on knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior and making Him known to others.
Mike was a man with strong family ties and made certain that his family was his number one priority. His infectious personality along with his desire and love for helping others blessed him with many friendships. Mike will always be remembered for his love for the outdoors, his commitment to family and God, and his kind and generous spirit.
Read More
