Michael "Mike" D. DeBackere

Michael “Mike” D. DeBackere, 74, of Taylor Ridge passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at UnityPoint Health Trinity, Rock Island.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 3, 2022 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan. A private inurnment will be at Reynolds Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.

Mike was born on July 9, 1948 in Rock Island, son of Bert and Maxine (Willey) DeBackere. He was a graduate of Orion High School in 1966. He married Carolyn Schulenberg on December 28, 1968 in Orion, IL. They had 2 daughters together, Tara and Claya, and she preceded him in death on June 15, 1997.  Mike married Beverly “Bev” (Clarke) Evins on April 28, 2001 in Orion, IL.

He started working for John Deere at the age of 18 and retired after 38 years of service from the John Deere ADV Test Lab.  After retirement, Mike worked as a contractor for John Deere for an additional 10 years at the Coal Valley Demo Site.   

Mike was very handy and enjoyed fixing and restoring old tractors.  He owned and operated MD’s Small Engine Repair and was always busy working on his loyal customers’ tractors and equipment.  He was a member of Mary, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Orion Lion’s Club, and Driftbusters Snowmobile Club. His hobbies included gardening, fishing, boating, riding in his side-by-side, collecting John Deere Hats, playing slow pitch softball, watching the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs, and taking yearly snowmobile trips to Wisconsin with his friends. Above all else, Mike enjoyed spending time with his family, especially watching his grandchildren play sports.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Bev, Taylor Ridge; daughters, Tara (Bill) Stropes, Orion, Claya (Dave) Knupp, Orion, Kathy (Dirk) Macke, Andalusia, and Kristi (Derek) Workman, Taylor Ridge; grandchildren, Koby, Skyler, and Kale Stropes, Avery and Ellie Knupp, Marrisa Macke, and Dalton and Malorie Workman; and siblings, Sandy Kraus, Milan, and Richard (Terry) DeBackere, Cambridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Carolyn.

Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.wheelanpressly.com.

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