Michael W. Ference

Michael William Ference, 59, of Springfield, died at 8:15 p.m. Monday, April 11, 2005 at Memorial Medical Center. Michael was born August 7, 1945 in Springfield the son of Dr. Edward George and Mary Eileen O’Heren Ference. He married Mary Louise Dorefice, on March 25, 1972 in Altoona, PA. Michael was a graduate of Griffin High School Class of 1963. Mike is a 1967 graduate from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Finance. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1968-1971 as a Corpsman on the Medical Hospital Ship USS Sanctuary during the Vietnam War where he received the National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Mike was also a 1979 graduate of the 3 year National Trust School Program at Northwestern University. Mike worked as a Trust Officer for over 30 years in Springfield, most recently as Vice President and Trust Officer with Marine Bank Springfield. As a lifelong resident in the City of Springfield he had been very active in community organizations including American Business Club, Notre Dame Club, Panther Creek Country Club and Sangamo Club. Michael was dedicated to serving the needs of developmentally disabled individuals at both the local and state level. He served as a Board Member and past president at the local SPARC Organization. He was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his wife: Mary Louise of Springfield; two sons: Mark E. Ference of Weber House, M. David (wife, Tammy) Ference of Springfield; one daughter: Meghan E. Ference of Skillman, NJ; two granddaughters: Cierra and Marydith Ference of Springfield; father: Edward G. Ference of Springfield; two sisters: Mary Ellen (husband, David) Brown of Springfield, Peggy Ference of Skillman, NJ; one brother: Matthew E. (wife, Tara) Ference, Sr. of St. Louis, MO; six nieces and nephews and several cousins. Family will receive friends from 4:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2005 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2005 at St. Joseph The Worker Chapel at St. James Monastery, 2500 St. James Rd., Springfield with Rev. Msgr. John R. Ossola celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. In Lieu of Flowers please consider a donation to the Weber House, 2520 St. James Rd., Springfield, IL 62707 The family of Michael Ference is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.