Michael “Mike” J. Cremeens, 67, of New Douglas, Illinois, passed away at 2:03am on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at home in the arms of his loving family. He was born June 6, 1957, in McLeansboro, Illinois to Charles and Addie Cremeens. He grew up in Benton, attending Benton High School and Rend Lake College.
Mike is survived by his wife of 35 years and love of his life, Cheryl Cremeens, a son, John Dare of Leeds, Alabama, a daughter, Robbi Sullivan and husband Dave of New Douglas, Illinois, granddaughters Aurora Dare and Ryan Sullivan, grandsons Jacob and Everett Sullivan, sisters Sandy Jerrells (Hal), Ginger Prior, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Greg and Sheila Conner, nephews Brian Cremeens, Kevin Cremeens, Chris Jerrells, Craig Jerrells, and Matt Prior, nieces Leah Schlag (Adam) and Lanie Cox (Seth), many great nieces and great nephews, countless colleagues and friends, and four dogs.
Mike was a loyal husband, father, and grandfather, a fierce protector and provider. His family was truly the pride and joy of his life. He loved his dogs, especially his best dachshund pal, Frank. He had an immense love for life, always pursuing new adventures, interests, and hobbies. He was a world traveler, reaching from the highest mountain peaks to the depths of mines around the world and everywhere in between.
His hobbies over the years included camping, rock climbing, drag racing, four-wheeling, backpacking, mountain climbing, white water rafting, ice climbing, motorcycling, computers and technology, RV’ing full time with his wife and dogs, football, jeeping, NASCAR, HAM radio, firearms, boating and fishing. He loved cooking and grilling for family and friends, his specialties being breakfast (his grandkids say he made the very best Papa toast), smoking meat on his Big Green Egg, and of course his award winning “over the top” chili.
Mike loved his work and his career spanned over 4 decades. He started out in the mines in Southern Illinois and became a legend in his industry as a conveyor belt splicer, teacher, chemist, speaker, and Vice President. He was one of the first people to be inducted into the NIBA Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award and will be truly irreplaceable in the mining industry.
He had many close calls and “near death experiences” in his lifetime throughout his many adventures. He battled cancer for over a decade with everything he had and fought as hard as he possibly could. He can now rest easy without pain.
He will be missed beyond measure.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Scott Cremeens, sister-in-law Jeanne Cremeens, and father-in-law Harvey Lee Conner.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 20th from 1-3pm at Morton-Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with a service immediately following.
Following the Service, interment will be at Kirk Cemetery in Ina.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
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