Michael Ross Avery

1964 - 2023

Michael Ross Avery
Born: July 15, 1964
Died: May 6, 2023
Michael Ross Avery, age 58, a lifelong resident of Plainfield, IL, passed away unexpectedly on May 6, 2023. He was born on July 15, 1964 in Aurora, IL.
Mike is survived by his loving children, Megan, McKenna, Merek and Marc Avery, and their mother, Ellen Avery; his mother, Judy Avery; his siblings, David (Meredith) Avery and Maryl (Brian) Betzwiser; as well as his nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Avery; his brother, Grant (Kristina) Avery; and his grandparents, Jesse and Viola Avery and Ruth and Hugh Pilcher.
Mike grew up in Plainfield and graduated from Plainfield High School, Class of 1982 where he also played football all 4 years. He then went on to Wabanse and Parkland Community College. Then ultimately went to work in the family business, Avery Gravel Co. Becoming part owner and operator he was able to find his niche and in all aspects to run a successful business and have a fulfilling career. It was there he showed his skill as a mechanic, and really became a jack of all trades from helping Maryl in the office to repairing electrical elements to crushing and moving the rock with the loaders alongside Grant and Dave. In addition to Avery Gravel Co. he single-handedly ran Avery Ready-mix, the family's concrete mixing business. Mike was a hardworking man who spent many years working at Avery Gravel Co. He loved taking his kids to play with the trucks and to see Maryl in the candy-filled front office, and to let them climb up and slide down the gravel piles there. He was a patient and loving father who always had time for his kids, and his ability to make them laugh will be remembered forever.
Mike was a man of many passions and interests, and he lived his life to the fullest. He loved nothing more than spending time with his family, and he was a devoted father and brother who always put his loved ones first.
One of his greatest joys in life was boating. He loved being on the water, and his passion for boating was contagious, with many friends and family members joining him for adventures on the waves. The family would spend all summer waterskiing on the lake at the family farm, where Mike and friends had many celebrations over the years. They'd boat on all the rivers in the area and on Lake Michigan around Chicago in the summer. This included taking weeks long journeys up and down the Michigan and Wisconsin sides of the lake with his children, or crossing the lake to boat and play around St. Joseph, Michigan. Mike also loved the snow and snowsports like snowmobiling and skiing. He spent many winters enjoying the snow-covered trails in Wisconsin and Utah with his family and friends, or shredding down mountains in Colorado with his siblings when he was younger.
In addition to his love of snowmobiling and boating, he was also an avid fisherman. He loved nothing more than spending time on the water, and he had a particular fondness for the Florida Keys, where he would often go with his family to fish and boat at his grandparent's old place in Marathon, FL. There the kids would take out the old family Chris-Craft named Vy-Je after his grandparents, Viola and Jesse. They'd anchor out by the reef to snorkel, fish, and dive for sand dollars. Then return home to feed freshwater to manatees from a hose, split open coconuts, and fry up fish that were caught that day.
Mike will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was a kind, generous, and loving man, and he touched the lives of everyone he met. We take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, and that his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Mike's life, memorial donations may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/) or Friends of the Chicago River (https://www.chicagoriver.org/).
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, May 13, 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM at Plymouth Congregational Church, Lockport St., Plainfield. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 PM at the church. At 3:00 PM join the family to commemorate Mike's life at the Uptown Tap in Plainfield. Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Plainfield was entrusted with arrangements.
For information please call 815/436-9221 or visit www.overman-jones.com