Dr. Gary M. Mikel
August 20, 1949 - October 31, 2024
CHARLESTON — Dr. Gary M. Mikel, 75, a resident of Charleston, Illinois and summer resident of Big Traverse, Michigan passed away at his residence on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
He was born on August 20, 1949 in St Louis, Missouri to Meryle and Margaret (Hamilton) Mikel. He attended the local schools and went on to receive his Master's Degree in Material Engineering and a Doctorate in Family Medicine and Geriatrics from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Springfield, Illinois.
On August 19, 1977 he married his wife Kathy Collins in Springfield, Illinois.
He felt he was on this Earth to serve people and that is what he did. He started his practice with Dr. Jerry Luoma in 1979 and relocated to Charleston, Illinois with his wife in 1996 where he went on to work at Sarah Bush Lincoln, retiring on December 29, 2017. He touched so many lives and was admired by many. While working at Sarah Bush Lincoln, he served as President of Staff and was on the Board of Directors for nine years. He also served on the Eastern Illinois University Gerontology Board of Advisors.
After retirement he still cared for his community by delivering Peace Meals and volunteering for the Coalition of People in Need. He also took many medical trips to Honduras.
In 2014, Gary found his way back to the UP of Michigan and bought a cabin in Big Traverse where he spent many peaceful summers with family and good friends.
Gary had an infectious smile and laugh and loved spending time with his family and grandkids. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends.
He followed in the footsteps of his father by joining the Charleston Barbershop Chorus and shared his passion for clocks and clock repair.
Gary was a faithful member of the Fields Church in Mattoon, Illinois.
He is preceded in death by his parents Meryle and Margaret Mikel.
He is survived by his wife: Kathy; his daughters, Dawn Robison and Dayra (Pat) Boberg; his grandchildren, Ryan (Maria) Robison, Ethan (Ashlyn) Robison, Abigail Robison, Dylan Boberg, Brendan Boberg, and Brady Boberg; his great grandchildren, Eden Robison and Cora Robison; his brother, Edward Mikel; his sister, Pam (Brian) Hayes; his four-legged companion, Teddy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in Dr. Mikel's honor to the Coalition for People in Need in Charleston, Coles County Barbershop Chorus, SBL Health Foundation to benefit the SBL Peace Meal Program, or the Fields Church.
As Gary said when he retired "It's hard to say goodbye".
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.adamsfuneralchapel.com .
