Obituary published on Legacy.com by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home on Oct. 1, 2025.
Michael T. McKenna, age 67, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a 40-year resident of
Naperville, IL, formerly of Lisle, IL, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, after an eight-year battle with cancer. He was born on March 31, 1958, in Elmhurst, IL.
Mike was the beloved husband of Marcia (nee Holmes) McKenna, his high school sweetheart, with whom he shared nearly 47 years of marriage after they wed on November 4, 1978. He was the proud and loving father of Mitch (Jordan) McKenna of Naperville, Tami (Dan) Fitzgerald of Aurora, and Brittany (Matt) Michuda of Hickory, NC. He cherished being a Grandpa to his nine grandchildren: Grayson, Emmett, Brooks, and Reese McKenna; Michael, Taylor and Luke Fitzgerald; and Grace and Levi Michuda.
He was the devoted son of the late Robert and Shirley McKenna, brother of Sue (Paul) Luther and his twin sister, Judi McKenna, and brother-in-law of Linda (the late Wayne) Cummings and Patti (Brian) Kuehl. He will also be remembered as a fun uncle to Jake Underwood, Riva and Max Borscha, Eric Kuehl, Kaitlyn Hopp and Casey Cummings.
Mike worked hard, played hard, and fought hard his entire life. Even during his eight-year battle with Multiple Myeloma and Acute Myeloid Leukemia, he refused to give in, pushing forward long after his body told him otherwise. As a young man, Mike loved fishing, baseball, and especially basketball. He passed that passion on to his three children who all inherited his three-point shooting skills. Still, no one could rival his legendary "mailbox hook shot," often taken in his work boots with a cigar hanging out of his mouth.
Mike was always proud to boast that he was a third-generation Tile Setter. Mike began working alongside his dad as a boy and helped launch McKenna Tile in the 1970s. Later, he branched out on his own, expanding into granite and marble with his company Stonesetters. He took immense pride in his craft, always working to perfect his skills and eager to try new things. His dedication often meant seven-day workweeks and a collection of tools so vast it took years to part with after he closed his business, with many still remaining today.
Mike was also known for his love of cars and trucks - so many in fact, that the count has long since been lost. He had a love of old country music, especially when it was being blasted on one of those car's radios. And he remained a loyal Bears and Cubs fan, no matter how often they broke our hearts.
Above all, Mike's greatest joy was his family. His love for his children and his nine grandchildren knew no bounds. The hardest part of his battle was knowing he would not be here to see them grow into the people God created them to be.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 4:00–8:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
Private interment will take place at Naperville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael's memory may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241-4238, (203) 229-0464, themmrf.org.
For additional information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com
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