Michael Ingram

SIDNEY - Michael Ingram, 71, of Sidney, surrounded by his loving family, went into the open arms of Jesus Christ and his parents on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, at Sidney Christian Church, Sidney. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Doug Krukewitt and the Rev. Barry West officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Sidney. Freese Funeral Home, 202 W. Main, Sidney, is in charge of arrangements.

Mike was born on July 25, 1952, in Quincy, the son of Lozelle and Ilean (Thomas) Ingram. He married his best friend and the love of his life, Suzanne Gaston, on Dec. 29, 1971, in Mt. Sterling. She survives.

He is also survived by his children: daughter Jeannette Marie Hulick of Tolono;  son David Michael Ingram and daughter-in-law Renee Cozzolino of Urbana; sister Linda Ingram of Urbana; honorary sister Susie Brown of Urbana; and four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Nico, Ivy, and Violet.  He also leaves behind many other cherished family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents and his son-in-law, Brad Hulick.

Mike grew up in the corn and soybean fields of Mt. Sterling. His father Lozelle, a beloved fixture of the Mt. Sterling area, instilled in Mike from a young age the value of self-sufficiency and a solid work ethic, traits that would serve Mike well in his long career. Lozelle also loved cats and passed that deep love of cats and all animals to Mike, who had more cats throughout his life than you could count.

Mike graduated Parkland College in Champaign in 1975. Throughout his lengthy career, he helped create and perfect myriad electronic technologies. He helped pioneer some of the earlier wildlife radio tracking collars used to track everything from wolves to falcons. He worked on bleeding-edge technology for use in the military. He worked on instrumentation that made its way into outer space. He was a key member of a team that helped create an advanced cellular cytometry platform. He was, in short, a brilliant engineer who contributed his absolute best to every employer he ever had. Everywhere he worked he made close friends for the rest of his life, and was known for his dedication, ingenuity, humor, humility, and loyalty.

Mike always said that marrying his wife, Suzanne, was one of the greatest decisions of his life. He also said that Suzanne was the strongest woman he ever knew and she lived up to that declaration for their entire marriage. She selflessly cared for him during his last years and loved him fiercely and unwaveringly, and he treasured her even if he sometimes grumbled about doing physical therapy or the other things she urged him to do to improve his health.

He always knew how to fix absolutely anything and passed on much of his "fix-it" knowledge to his children, including how to change car parts, operate power tools, and the many uses for duct tape, as well as instilling in them a problem-solving mindset, an understanding of the importance of hard work, and a drive to do your best professionally.  He also modeled how to take care of your family in ways both great and small. He taught his children the value and delight of making things by hand, introduced them to the pleasures of a vast array of music, from Count Basie to James Taylor to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and passed on to them his love for and interest in animals of all kinds. He also introduced his children to the hilarity of British comedy, gave to them his passion for science fiction, fantasy, and mysteries, and taught them to appreciate big cities, small towns, the great outdoors, fine dining, state fairs, fast cars, a well-cooked steak, and all things chocolate. Because of him, his children developed both the intellect of their minds and the tenderness and sensitivity of their hearts.

He loved and treasured his four grandchildren. They made him a special book for the Christmas of 2021. Some of their observations follow. "I love your": jokes, funny stories, silliness. "I love that you taught me to": fix problems, be silly, be kind and caring, not give up on things. "If you were a type of pie, you'd be": chocolate with way too much whipped cream on top. "Thank you for": Always making me smile and laugh, being the best granddad, always being there to tell a story or help me out, your kindness and faith. "I love how you always say": 'Get outta here!'. "It makes me smile when you": play with cats, give me hugs, are silly.

When he first met his daughter-in-law, he made her feel part of the family immediately and showed much trust in her by suggesting she drive the 8-passenger golf cart at the Christmas tree farm outing to pick a Christmas tree. He signed every card for the last 16 years, "yer other dad" and he made this sentiment felt for the last 23 years. He also showed his love in his compliments of her cooking, baking, advocacy skills and assertiveness, mothering and her love for his son. His love and acceptance was felt by her beyond measure all these years and especially in how fiercely he loved his grandchildren, unconditionally.

In later years, Mike strengthened his faith and love of Jesus Christ through attending and serving at Sidney Christian Church, where he made many good friends.  

In his life, he survived a horrific car accident, cancer, addiction, surgeries, and many other trials. He most definitely had an angel watching over him his entire life. Some say he had nine lives. Whether that's true or not, his family and friends are so grateful to have had the blessing of his love and presence in their lives for so many years, and only wish he had had a few more.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Sidney Christian Church, Restoration Urban Ministries, and CATsNAP (Champaign Area Trap Spay/Neuter and Adoption Program).