Michael E. Fear

Michael E. Fear, 61, of Oblong, IL, passed away on January 3, 2022, at Crawford Memorial Hospital in Robinson, IL, following a brave, hard-fought battle with glioblastoma. He was born September 9, 1960, in Vincennes, IN, the son of Larry Joe Fear & Esther Louise (Wilson) Fear. He grew up in the Oblong area and was a 1979 graduate of Oblong High School. On December 6, 1980, he married Deena Wilson, and to this union were born two daughters, Stacey and Stephanie. He worked hard to provide for his young family. As a young man, he was a dedicated farmhand for a number of area farmers, including Reid Thacker. This was work he found value and purpose in, and he was also proud of what he was able to accomplish as a heavy equipment operator for John Collins Excavating. He worked in a variety of other capacities for various area institutions but spent a great deal of his career at Briggs Pottery, where he was employed for 15 years before they shut their doors. It was at this point that he became a correctional officer for the Lawrence Correctional Center and, eventually, the Robinson Correctional Center. Much of his time here found him up in the tower, as he was able to qualify as a sharpshooter, a feat of which he was particularly proud. Mike retired in September 2021. If you were to have found him at home, chances were that Mike would have been either washing and waxing a vehicle or mowing his yard. To say that he kept his lawn (and his lawnmower) looking immaculate may very well be an understatement! This should come as no surprise to anyone who knew him, as he believed in taking good care of his things. This was never more apparent than in the care he gave to his family. Mike was, after all, a wonderful son, a caring brother, a devoted husband, and the best dad a girl could hope to have. He was his family's champion and cherished every moment spent with those he loved most in this world. They will fondly remember the joy with which this jokester lived as well as the driven purpose that he made manifest throughout his 61 years. Though we grieve his untimely passing, we recognize that it's not the years in your life that count...it's the life in your years. We are thankful that Mike Fear filled his with real and genuine living. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Deena Fear; by his two daughters, Stacey Fear and Stephanie & husband Brandon Wood; by his mother, Esther Fear; by his brothers, Randy & wife Liz Fear and Todd Fear; by his sister-in-law, Deborah Wilson; by his brothers-in-law, Mark & wife Julie Wilson and Brent Wilson; by several nieces and nephews; as well as his beloved granddogs, Buddy and Cooper. He was preceded in death by his father, Larry Fear; by his parents-in-law, Bill & Iris Wilson; and by his sister-in-law, Cheryl Wilson. A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 6th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 7th, at the funeral home, with Alvin Neidigh officiating. Burial will be in the Oblong Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Glioblastoma Foundation", with envelopes available at the funeral home.