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Southern Illinois University

Michael Kilian Obituary

CARBONDALE -- Michael Kilian, 36, died at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

He was born March 18, 1975, in Park Ridge, to Stanly Kilian and Barbara (Fier) Kilian.

He owned and operated Mike's Tree Service.

He was the son of Stanley and Barb Kilian; loving partner to Christina Crooks; caregiver to Grayson Longyear and Maysa Crooks; and brother to Sherry White, Lori Connelly, Victoria Kilian and Christopher Kilian.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman and adventurous spirit. He loved spending time with his family, friends and his dogs exploring. Mike came to Carbondale in the mid-90s, fell in love with the area and made it his home. He is a graduate of SIU in early childhood education. He loved kids. He provided numerous years of volunteer service to the Carbondale New School, as well sharing himself and his talents with many others. Mike's life was not without struggles. He was inspirational, giving, loving, creative and a gifted storyteller, a music lover and entrepreneur. He had an amazing way to intuit his way through life, like few others. He was an intense, larger than life person, experiencing this world deeply and fully, with so much love in his heart. His family wishes to express that he will never be forgotten.

There will be a memorial service from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Jan. 19, at Walker Funeral Home and Crematory of Carbondale.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Southern Illinoisan from Jan. 18 to Jan. 19, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Kilian

19 Entries

Donna Tolp

February 23, 2012

I just found out about Mike and I am so devastated. I have known him since he was in high school and worked at the day care with me. He would still come back to visit us whenever he was in town and we would laugh at all of his antics and escapades. He was one of a kind, sweet, fun, helpful, kind and full of enthusiasm. My heart is truly saddened. Rest in Peace dear friend~~

Susan Pearlman

January 26, 2012

Michael was my student in the Early Childhood program at SIU. He was bright, thoughtful, sensitive, and very creative in his planning for children's activities. I was glad that he kept in touch with me after he graduated. His death is a tremendous loss to all who knew him. May he rest in peace, and may those who loved him be comforted and consoled.

January 22, 2012

Stan and Barb: My heart is heavy with sorrow for your great loss. May our LORD comfort and uphold you through your time of grief. You are in my heart and in my thoughts and my prayers.
Natalie
Peter Jr says to tell you the same for him.

Kimberly Wright

January 20, 2012

Mike is one of the most unique people I have ever met and I will never forget him. Sending love and prayers to all who loved him.

Nathan Stucky

January 20, 2012

Michael dedicated tons of energy to helping Carbondale New School. After the May 8th windstorm a couple of years back, he brought his expertise and equipment to cleaning up fallen trees and limbs. He had numerous ideas to improve the place, masterminded the new swing-set and many other projects. Once he got started going in a certain direction he was unstoppable. He brought such wonderful enthusiasm to his work on behalf of the kids. I appreciated his honesty, sincerity, and directness. He was one of a kind. He'll be deeply missed.

January 20, 2012

My prayers are with the Kilian Family.
-Roby Rajan

Jeanette Collins

January 20, 2012

To the Kilian family, my prayers go out to you. Stay strong and remember God says when you go through deep waters and great trouble he will be with you. Jeanette Collins (Grainger).

Kristin Floress

January 20, 2012

Mike was one of my dearest friends. We all have funny stories about something crazy that happened while we were with Mike, but the thing I will remember most about him is all of the love that he had in his heart. He was one of the sweetest people I will ever know.

Chris W.

January 19, 2012

He was my only friend. Rest in peace bro. -Chris

Sam White

January 19, 2012

Barb and Stan, I just heard at 6pm on the19th. I am so sorry. I can't begin to know your pain. I haven't seen Mike in years, but his heart was huge and his kindness incredible. My prayers are with you.
Sam

Andrew Staff

January 19, 2012

There was never another human being like Mike Killian. Mike was a non conformist in the truest sense of a word. Whether he was keeping a Rooster in his closet or picking up rattlesnakes, driving construction equipment through town or escaping the hospital he was always doing what he felt was best at the moment. He was a part of mine and my wife's life and he will never be forgotten. We loved him deeply and were grateful for the love he showed us.

Lisa Smith

January 19, 2012

What a kind man and profound loss. When I worked at CNS as summer school teacher, he always made it a point to come by, say hi to everyone, and to take care of anything maintenance related that was needed. The kids and adults just thought a lot of him. Even now, a few years later, he would always stop by and say hi when I was set-up at Cdale Farmers' Mkt. A kind soul is gone. We are all saddened.

Mr and Mrs Gray

January 19, 2012

Our prayers to his family.

Kevin and Sarah O'Brien

January 18, 2012

We are friends of Mike's from Carbondale who now live in Santa Fe, NM and just wanted to share in the celebration of Mike's life. Mike didn't always make the best decisions, but he had a heart of gold. He lived an unconventional life. He taught us a lot about how to live life to the fullest, how to laugh (and sneeze), and, yes, how to raise our dog. He would walk across the country to help out one of his friends. One time after we had gotten home from a road trip in Colorado, we were hanging out with Mike and sharing stories about our adventures. Our car was constantly overheating and, at one point, we didn't think we were going to be able to drive it home. Mike's immediate response was, “Oh yeah, I could have just brought the trailer out and picked you up.”
Another time we were shopping with Mike at the hardware store and I asked him what he was buying. He replied, “Parts for a water fountain.” I replied, “What the hell you need parts for a water fountain for? What are you doing now, Mike?” He had noticed that the water fountain at the New School was broken, so he was going to go fix it.
Mike always knew how to have a good time. Not everyone would escape from the hospital only wearing a hospital gown, rolling a wheel chair down the road to go say hi to Andy Staff. Then return and insist that he had not left the property.
Mike was quite an athlete and a good rock climber. He is that only person we know that can go without climbing for six months and still climb multiple 5.12s in a day; then he would wonder why his elbows hurt. He signed up for a 32-mile race with us down in Alabama. His entire training regimen totaled 20 miles prior to the race. His logic behind his lack of training was, “Well, if you're driving to Chicago, you're not going to practice driving around Carbondale first and waste all of your gas.” He finished the race, and he wasn't even last!
Mike always had a dog close to his heart. He went everywhere with these dogs; they were more than just his best friends. When we met Mike, he had one of the coolest dogs ever, Jodi. We have plenty of good memories, like Jodi's dog birthday party celebrated on Martin Luther King Day at the arboretum. Where the favorite activity of the day consisted of the dogs licking peanut butter off of spatulas. When we got our dog, Jack, we took Jodi with us just to make sure she would approve. Jodi was a wonderful dog and a great partner for Mike on their adventures. Jack thanks Mike for training us to treat him like a king.
Since we heard about his death, we spent some time crying over the loss of
such a great friend, but we have spent much more time, laughing as we remember the good times we experienced with Mike. We would also like to say thank you Mike for being a wonderful person and bringing so much joy into our lives.
We love you Mike. You will be in our prayers, our memories, and our conversations. Forever.
Love,

Kevin, Sarah & Jack O'Brien

Brian Wenckebach

January 18, 2012

Mike Kilian was an amazing person. He taught me so much about what it meant to really LIVE. I know that he touched many lives and will be missed deeply by everyone.

Karen Turner

January 18, 2012

I am so sorry for the family and friends of Michael. I knew him through Carbondale New School, which my kids attended. I will recall so fondly the days he dumped huge piles of chips, or sand, or logs, or wood planks. He furthered the magic of CNS in ways that will be so very missed. My heart is broken.

Jeremiah Jahn

January 18, 2012

He and his antics will be greatly missed. i can't express how much we will all miss him.

Abigail Wheetley

January 18, 2012

Michael Kilian was a gentle, sweet person. The world will be less for his absence.

Cheryl Ernst

January 18, 2012

What a tragic loss for Michael's family and friends. I have many fond memories of Michael, and every time I visit Carbondale New School I will be reminded of his dedication to the school and his fondness for the kids. He was an advocate for a safe, yet fun and meaningful, playground experience. He will be missed.

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