Michael Bailey

WILMINGTON—Michael Glen Bailey, of Wilmington, passed away Dec. 8, 2017 in Joplin, MO. He was born Jan. 27, 1947 in Torrance, CA to Glen and Audrey Bailey.
Michael served in the Special Forces as a Green Beret, Division Big Red One in Vietnam where he earned two bronze stars. During his debriefing stateside he met his wife, Linda. They were married for 49 years.
After working for Sunkist for a short time, Michael and Linda moved to Illinois where Michael worked for 27 years and retired from Commonwealth Edison-Dresden where he was a manager. Upon retirement he worked as a courier with the Will County Health Department before returning to school to complete his bachelor’s degree. He then taught Native American Studies at the College of DuPage. While caring for his paents for a short time in California, he worked as a park ranger at Lake Piru.
Having been in Cub Scouts and 4-H as a child, Michael was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing,  boating, archery, traveling, reading and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren who affectionately referred to him as the Grinch.
He served as a shooting coach for the Illinois State Games. He was president of the Wilmington Lions Club and as well as the school board president and served on the Wilmington Library Board.
Michael served with the Training Union and the bus ministry at 1st Baptist Church of Wilmington as well as ushering and participating in the Back to Bethlehem specials at Island City Baptist Church, where he was a current member. He previously served as usher at Coal City Baptist Church. He and his wife, Linda, served on the Illinois Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team and had the opportunity to go on a medical missions trip to Honduras.
Michael is survived by his wife, Linda (Benson) Bailey of Wilmington; daughters, Michelle (Bailey) Hamilton, of Glendale, AZ and Dawn Bailey-Curley, of Arizona; grandchildren: Blake, Brett and Bryce Hamilton; Alyssa Bailey-Carelli and Canyon Bailey-Curley as well as several loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Audrey Bailey, several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Michael was cremated according to his wishes and an internment will be held at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, 6 p.m. at Island City Baptist Church. Dinner will follow.
Memorial gifts can be made to Joni and Friends Arizona at 5025 E. Washington St., Ste 106, Phoenix, AZ 85034 or www.joniandfriends.org/donate/?office=arizona.