Michael C. Studier

Michael Craig Studier, 82, died March 6, 2026 at Ciel Senior Living, Plainfield, Illinois. He was born to Norman and Ruth Holmes Studier on March 9, 1943 in Aurora, Illinois.

Michael graduated from East High School, Aurora, Illinois in 1960. He earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering degrees from the University of Illinois-Chicago. He served in the US Army in Vietnam.

Over the years he worked many interesting jobs: from a licensed Honda motorcycle mechanic and owning a motorcycle accessory and service shop, Mike the Bike, in Chicago; to designing yachts for Broward Marine and Denison Marine in Florida; to Manufacturing Engineer for John Crane International of Morton Grove, Illinois. In retirement, he and his wife Julie took up farming, earning organic certification for their Michigan orchard/farm, Tower Hill Farm, LLC.

In his younger years, Michael was a talented musician, playing several instruments, especially piano. He loved machines: tinkering with bicycles, lawn mowers, motorcycles, old VW bugs … and on to antique tractors in retirement. He was always a voracious reader and logical thinker.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Julia Netter Studier; his children, Fenton Thomas "Tom" Studier and Andrea (Dale) Burchfield; grandchildren, Erin (Robert) Rypka, Robert Burchfield, William (fiancée Gina Russo) Burchfield, Dane Studier, and Simon Studier; and three great granddaughters, Zoleen Rypka, Emma Rypka, and Eleanor Rypka; and stepson Daniel (Nichola) Minton, three step granddaughters and two step great-grandsons. His sister, Emmylou Studier (Charles Larry) also survives.

He was predeceased by his parents, his special aunts, Mildred Holmes and Aloha Lawver, and first wife, Sandra Vanderhoof Utsch.

A celebration of life will be held at the Plainfield American Legion Marne Post 13, 24741 W. Renwick Road, Plainfield, Illinois, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, March 22, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Land Connection, Champaign IL; Real Organic Project; or American Diabetes Association.