Michael "Mike" Thomas Hurt

He was born on July 4, 1967, in Peoria to Charles “Tom” and Donna (Ervin) Hurt.

Mike is survived by his parents; sister, Sherry Hurt; nephews, Ryan and Zachary Call; and great-nephew, Zaedyn Call, all of East Peoria.

Mike was a 1986 graduate of East Peoria Community High School. During his senior year, he worked at Pizza Hut as a dishwasher. He worked a couple of years at Tazewell County Resource Center in Tremont and also at the Community Workshop and Training Center in Peoria.

In 2000, Mike wanted to go to college like many of his friends were doing. He would only take 1 or 2 classes a year at Illinois Center College, but would be there every day for morning coffee and for lunch. Mike continued every year there on, minus Covid years 2020-2021. Mike’s last class ended in December of 2022; he was enrolled in Physical Science “Weather.” Mike loved the weather.

Mike spent endless hours walking and visiting with friends at the Eastside Centre. Mike touched many hearts; he made so many new friends. He loved watching kids play their sports at Eastside. It seemed like everybody knew Mike.

He also loved to go on cruises. Hawaii might have been his favorite. Other trips were to Alaska, twice, Canada and the Caribbean, four times.

Mike loved driving around the neighborhood, the only neighborhood he knew and grew up in for 55 years, Highway Village. Neighbors loved to wave as he went by. He never waved back, just kept his hands on the steering wheel and raised his right index finger to let them know he saw them.

He loved his church family, Richland Baptist/The Journey Church in East Peoria. He was special to them and they were special to Mike.

Mike’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. Pastor Brock Winkler will officiate. His visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. An additional visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.

A special thanks to all Mike’s family and friends who cared so much about him.

Memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund or Alzheimer’s Association.