Michael L. Despines

Michael Lee Despines, 90, of Washington, passed away at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home on Monday, October 28, 2024, surrounded by his daughters Amanda Sue and Mickey Lee.
Michael lost the love of his life, Anne, on February 22, 2020. Mike and Anne were married on January 25, 1952 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria by Rev. Dunn, and enjoyed 68 loving and family filled years together. He was lost without her.
He is survived by loving daughters Amanda Sue (Robert, deceased) Thurman of Washington, and Mickey Lee (Frank) Malson of East Peoria; 5 grandchildren: Robert Michael (Lorie) Thurman of Washington, Frank Brett (Jill) Malson of Fayetteville GA, Beth Anne Thurman of Washington, Mark Wayne (Jamie) Thurman of Washington, and Vincent Blake (Nicole) Malson of Metamora; 9 great-grandchildren: Katy, Sara, Louie, Emily, Grace T., Ella, Grace M., Chloe, Reid; 2 step-great-grandchildren Addisyn Wood and Ayshton Wood, and 2 great-great grandchildren, Riley and Raelyn.
He was preceded in death by all of his 5 brothers and 5 sisters, son-in-law Robert Thurman, and great-granddaughter Jazmin Malson.
Michael was born May 9, 1934 in Brimfield, IL, to the late Glenn Michael and Florence Norma (Turner) Despines. The son of a Greek immigrant, Michael was on his own at age 13 after his father passed, and was not formally educated past the 8th grade. Yet with steadfast determination, he worked hard at any job he laid his hands on, until a handshake agreement allowed him to purchase a single pump gas station on Hamilton Blvd in Peoria. In 1960, he sold the property to Caterpillar, who needed the land for their new administration building. He next opened a Phillips 66 station in East Peoria; the building now vacant across from the FOLEPI building.
Selling the service station in 1974, he worked for Coleman Chemical, managing tanker truck deliveries, and often driving loads himself. One of those stops was a Zip-Tone dry cleaning plant in Peoria, where he eventually purchased the business and grew it beyond expectations with the help of many family members. This included a flagship store called Hi-Fashion Cleaners on the corner of Sheridan and Knoxville in Peoria, run by his wife Anne. Without a doubt, he will be remembered for his no-nonsense approach to business and his incredible ability to make it efficient and profitable.
In 1975, Mike and Anne purchased acreage on Highview Rd in Washington (now Centennial Dr.), cleared the land, and built a new home. Weekends were filled with family and grandkids at the new property. Michael loved to garden, building a huge area dedicated to dozens of crops. They downsized in 1998, but the home remains in the family.
A true patriarch of our family, he always showed his devotion to family and to his wife, Anne. Mike and Anne were the foundation of our family with almost weekly gatherings to eat, laugh, and to bond.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 31 at 11am at Deiters Funeral Home, 2075 Washington Rd, Washington, IL 61571. Minister Dr. Kevin Dell will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before services from 10am-11am at Deiters Washington. Burial will be at Brimfield Cemetery following services.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jazmin Malson Endowed Scholarship, via Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO or to the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home via OSF Healthcare Foundation.