Michael E. Moser

Mike was born on October 17, 1946, in Springfield, IL, the son of Earl W. and Marjorie G. (Gaengal) Moser. He married Suellen M. Chunes on September 19, 1970, at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Springfield. They had three daughters, two grandsons, one granddaughter, and two great-grandsons.

Mike graduated from Griffin High School. He was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish since he was in second grade, serving as an altar server and Eucharistic minister. Mike was also involved with RCIA, the school board, and the parish council. He loved St. Cabrini and all of the people that he worked with and prayed with there.

He proudly joined the Air National Guard 183rd Tactical Fighter Squadron in 1965 and achieved the rank of Master Sergeant, with an honorable discharge in 2000. He worked as an air traffic controller for 34 years. Mike joined the Guard pistol team and in 1974, competed at the National Championships Competition and won first in sharpshooting. He was very proud of that accomplishment. His time in the ANG allowed him to travel to many countries – Italy, Denmark, Kuwait, Japan, and Panama, bringing home many surprises for his girls. He also graduated from the NCO Academy and had several medals and awards from his time of service. Out of the different fighter jets he worked with, the F16 was always his favorite.

As a second career, Mike drove a school bus for Laidlaw/First Student for 15 years and loved transporting all of his students and working with all of his monitors and fellow drivers.

In 1979, Mike and Sue attended a World Wide Marriage Encounter weekend. WWME became his main ministry and shaped his family and faith life. Mike loved this ministry and vowed to always participate at some level because he truly believed in the strength that the Sacrament of Matrimony brought to the church. Most of his friendships today started from his active involvement with WWME.

Mike was a fantastic dad. He coached many softball, soccer, and baseball teams for his daughters and grandsons. Along the way, he helped many kids get the equipment or rides they needed to play their sport. Mike loved being with his family and friends. Christian Family Camp at Pere Marquette State Park was a frequent destination for family vacations and the start of many more friendships.

Above all else, Mike was a jokester. As an example, he left a note to Sue many years ago where he signed it with a description of himself as a loving, sweet, honorable, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind, lovable, friendly, curious, brave, clean, reverent, charming, delightful, and above all, modest husband. He also was known for his constant questions about all topics. Mike was always ready with a question – some challenging, some informative, some aggravating, most of them interesting and thought-provoking. So many, many questions! There was not a tour guide who was safe from Mike. All of his family and friends will tell you they waited and waited for the questions to end. He was also a helper. He always would take the time to help his family and friends, whether they needed it or not. And lastly, Mike loved his many “collections”, which include guns, knives, various styles of hats, drums of all sizes, and many bells. He was just a down to earth, great guy.

Mike is survived by his wife, Suellen Moser of Springfield; daughters, Mary Michele “Shelly” Lutes (former husband, Kevin Lutes), Amy Moser (Kevin Tranquilli), and Tisha Moser (Pauly Newman); grandchildren, Damian Michael Moser (Nicole Esquivel), Levi Joshua Moser, and Lily Lutes; great-grandsons, Mateo and Raiden Moser-Esquivel; granddogs, Birdie, Maisie, Brady, and Roxy; grandcat, Kat; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 1020 N. Milton Ave., Springfield, with Fr. Dennis Koopman, celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: World Wide Marriage Encounter, or VFW Post 10302.