Michael J. McKillip

POTOSI – Michael J. McKillip, age 65, of Potosi, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a five-year battle with kidney cancer.   He was born on December 15, 1958, in Boscobel, the son of John and Kathleen (Schwendinger) McKillip.   Michael graduated from Boscobel High School in 1977.  He then entered the United States Marine Corp. where he was stationed at the LTA Base at Tustin, CA.  Michael attended communications school at Camp Pendleton and later was transferred to Okinawa where he was stationed from 1978 until 1979 when he returned to the United States and was stationed at Twentynine Palms, CA.  Michael was honorably discharged in 1983.  Following his honorable discharge, he farmed in Crawford County.   Michael later was employed with Golden Harvest and most recently with Epic Construction where he remained until his health declined.  On August 23, 1997, Michael was united in marriage to Sheila Ehlen at the Lancaster Congregational Church of Christ.  He was an avid Wisconsin sports fan and dearly loved spending time with his family and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s extracurricular activities.   Michael also enjoyed hunting and was a handyman that could fix almost anything.  He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife, Sheila; children: Steven (Ashley), Brooke “Tuggs” (Brent Curtis), Andrew, Connor, and Delany “Petie” McKillip; two grandchildren: Jason Kvamme and Carter McKillip; his siblings: Patricia “Pat” (Karl) Johnson, Linda Clark, Sharon (David) Turner, Paul McKillip, Kathy “Kat” McKillip; a brother-in-law, Darrel Wood; members of the Ehlen family, many other relatives, and friends.

In addition to his parents, John and Kathleen, Michael was preceded in death by a sister, Diane Wood; a brother-in-law, Harley Clark; and a sister-in-law, Mary Hankemeier.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tennyson with Father Mark Miller officiating.  Burial with military honors accorded by the American Legion Post No. 473 and the VFW Post No. 5276 will be held in St. Andrew Cemetery, Tennyson.  Family and friends may call on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church.  The family asks those in attendance at the visitation and/or funeral to please wear Wisconsin Badger, Packer, or Brewer attire.  Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Potosi is assisting the family.