Michael William Brown

Michael was born on October 18, 1950, in Evanston, IL, the son of Melyvn and Leona Borg Brown. He married Nancie Jane Chapman on June 13, 1987, in Springfield.

Michael came to Springfield from Canton, IL as an all-around athlete. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1968. Michael studied Education at Eastern Illinois University and then went on to earn his bachelors degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield. He enjoyed helping others, which led him to work in the Regional Office of Education as a teacher for alternative education for five years. Prior to that Michael worked as a substance abuse counselor for ten years at the Sangamon-Menard Alcoholism and Drugs Council and as Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for Sangamon County for 15 years. He enjoyed playing the bass guitar and accordion, playing Fantasy football, and playing with his dogs. Michael was also an avid U of I sports fan and Chicago Cubs fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark Brown.

He is survived by his wife, Nancie Brown of Springfield; son, Charles (wife, Holly) Schmadeke of Springfield; daughters, Dorothy (husband, David) Krumin of Naperville and Elizabeth (husband, Mike) Ferega of Lombard; grandchildren, Ashley, Austin, and Tyler Krumin; siblings, Stephen Brown of Mansfield, PA, Deborah Brown of Springfield, and Mary Brown (Stephen Tilson) of Santa Rosa, CA; one niece; three nephews; and a menagerie of animals.

Visitation: Family will receive guests from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 South Grand Avenue West, Springfield.

Memorial contributions can be made to Freedom Service Dogs of America, 7193 S. Dillon Ct., Englewood, CO 80112.