BYRON – Morgan R. Michel, age 75, passed away on May 7, 2018 at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford. He was born on February 20, 1943 in Shawano, Wis., the son of LeRoy and Muriel (Morgan) Michel.
Morgan was a graduate of Marion High School class of 1961. He then attended Grinnell College where he graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1965. He went on to Northern Illinois University where he earned his first master’s degree in 1972 and followed that by graduating with his second master’s degree in 1986 from Western Illinois University. Morgan married Kathleen Grandchamp on June 21, 1975. He worked as a teacher and coach in the Byron school system from 1986 through 1999. Sports were always important to him and he enjoyed playing for Marion High School and Grinnell College and then semi-professionally. That love of the game and sports in general lead him to coach football and wrestling for Byron and having both teams win state championships while he was coaching and having the football team be put in the Byron hall of fame.
When he wasn’t participating in sports he was cheering on the University of Iowa fall and winter sports and was also a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. Morgan was an Eagle Scout and was a dedicated Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader for many years. He was also one of the project leaders for the Dreamworks Playground. Morgan had a booming voice and you always knew when he was around.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Byron; son, Evan (Stephanie) Michel of Lombard; and sister, Alice Michel of Bremerton, Wash.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Byron with Father Howard Barch officiating. Visitation was Friday from 5-7 p.m. in Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home in Byron. Burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Byron. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Boy Scouts of America Blackhawk Area Council, Ogle County Habitat for Humanity, or WNIJ Public Radio.
