Willows

Michael Wayne "Mike" Willows, 53, of New Douglas, Ill., died on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Community Hospital of Staunton. He was born on May 1, 1970, in Litchfield, the son of Lowell Wayne and Marilyn J. (Schoen) Willows. He married Gina Prigmore on July 24, 1993, in Mt. Olive. She survives.

Mike was an electrician with the Norfolk Southern Railroad. He worked for the railroad for 27 years. He was a member of Local IBEW #513 out of Decatur as well as a member of the AMA and NRA. Like his grandfather, he was passionate about antique Allis-Chalmers tractors and loved to watch Cardinals baseball with his sons. He never missed a sporting event for his kids or grandkids and enjoyed being there for all of them. Mike was a jack-of-all-trades, always being the family member that people called on when they needed help. Mike enjoyed spending time at Ging's Deer Camp drinking beer and sharing stories with friends, going to NASCAR and flat track races where he pursued his passion for racing and being among friends and family, and camping at Gnawbone Campground with friends who became family after 20 years of friendship. But above all, Mike's greatest love was for his family.

Mike is survived by his wife, Gina Willows of New Douglas; children, Darrin (Kandice) Prigmore of Collinsville, Austin Willows of New Douglas, Chelsea (Brandon) Ellington of Mt. Olive; grandchildren, Chase and Coy Prigmore, Isabelle, Tayten, and Ruger Ellington; his mother, Marilyn Willows of Livingston; mother-in-law, Judy Cook of Alton; father-in-law, Walter (Launa) Prigmore of Uncasville, Conn .; sister-in-law, Angela (Nick) Pacino; and brother-in-law, Aaron (Stephanie) Prigmore. Several aunts and uncles, cousins, in-laws, and nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Willows; sister, Karen Willows; paternal grandparents, William Willows and Edith (Gerdes) Willows; and maternal grandparents, Wilfred Schoen and Elizabeth (Stamer) Schoen.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lesicko Funeral Home in Livingston and from 9 until 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive. The family is asking everyone to wear NASCAR, Flat Track, or Cardinals shirts to the visitation in honor of Mike's interests. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Mt. Olive with Rev. Zachary Krampien officiating. Burial will be in the New Douglas Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, or to the New Douglas Cemetery. To sign a guest book or to leave a private condolence, visit http://www.lesickofuneralhome.com. Lesicko Funeral Home of Livingston together with Williamson Funeral Home of Staunton are in charge of arrangements.