Michael Strohecker

Michael A. Strohecker, age 76 of Pearl City, IL, passed away at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford on Monday, February 12, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born May 15, 1947, in Freeport, IL; the son of Harry and Nadine (Bussian) Strohecker. He was a 1965 graduate of Pearl City High School. Mike married Karen Werkheiser on September 23, 1966. He retired after 33 years with the Illinois Department of Transportation Highway Maintenance. After retiring he was a school bus driver for Pearl City School District for 15 years and enjoyed his bus route kids. Mike was a member of New Vine Community Church of Lena, IL, and the Pearl City Lions Club. He also served on the Pearl City School Board. He loved whitetail deer and turkey hunting with his son and grandson and special friend, Brad McWorkthy. He loved fishing and spending time in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and recently took annual summer fishing trips to Canada. He loved playing cards with friends, scratch-off lottery tickets and spending time mowing lawns in the summer on his prized John Deere. He loved going to breakfast and playing a round of golf with "the guys" and going on drives with his Corvette Club friends. He has been a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packer fan and especially enjoyed the Lambeau Field tour with his family a few years ago. Mike had a keen eye for spotting a coin on the roadway and much to his family's dismay, would often pull over to pick up the penny or dime. He was a devoted grandfather and he enjoyed spending time with them and his special granddog, Scout. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Karen Strohecker of Pearl City; his mother, Nadine Strohecker of Freeport, IL; son, Daniel (Ann) Strohecker of Freeport; daughter, Amy (Jeff) Johnson of Pearl City; 4 grandchildren, Drew (Taylor) Storhecker of Freeport, Alyssa (Jacob) Pittner of Rochester, MN, Delanie (Nick) Anderson of Freeport, Hailey (Jacob VenHuizen) Johnson of Carbondale, IL; brother, Mark (Andrea) Strohecker of Hayward, CA; and special sister and brother-in-law, Jake & Connie Geerts, as well as nieces, many cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Jr. and mother-in-law, Ruth Ashpole, and nephew Brian Markel.