Michael Venable

URBANA - Michael Jay Venable, born March 28, 1952, to Doris and Ted Venable in Springfield, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday (Sept. 4, 2025), surrounded by family.

Throughout the course of his illness, Mike demonstrated remarkable resilience, wit and unwavering kindness, consistently exhibiting dignity, grace and a deep devotion to his loved ones and friends.

Mike lived a full and blessed life, graduating from Urbana High School in 1969 before pursuing a career in the baking industry that lasted over 40 years. He was employed at Purity Baking in Champaign and Interstate Brands in Peoria. In 1995, he completed his studies at the American Institute of Baking. Subsequently, he spent nearly 10 years with Lehman Pre-Cast in Eureka. Mike was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers fan.

Mike married the love of his life, Rebecca Ann Webber, on April 21, 1973, in Champaign. Throughout their 52 years together, they formed lasting friendships in various communities. They spent 20 years of the marriage at Seller's Corner (north of Urbana), where they lived among some of the best people in God's country. Mike's career then took them to the Peoria area for another 20-plus years before they retired to Crawfordsville, Ind., in 2020.

Mike is survived by Robert (Lorayne) Venable of Noblesville, Ind., and Janice Comstock of Urbana; his sister-in-law, Debby (Bob) Shotts of Springfield; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews, each of whom were dearly loved.

He was preceded in death by both parents and four sisters, Barbara Venable, Nancy Adair, Mary Mayfield and Judy Bigard.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28.