MICHAEL LEE “MIKE” MCGILL

Michael Lee “Mike” McGill, 76, of Republic, MO went home to be with the Lord surrounded by his family on Sunday April 14, 2024. Mike was born on October 30,1947, in Springfield, MO to Wayne and Lucille McGill. He was the third of five children. He graduated from Willard High School in 1965.
He married the love of his life, Janis Lee Bales, in 1966 and enjoyed 58 years of marriage.
He served in the Vietnam War as an Army Combat Engineer and achieved the rank of Sergeant. Mike went on to a career as a Journeyman Electrician at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #453 until he retired in 2010.
Mike loved life and had many hobbies. As a young parent he spent countless hours, nights and weekends coaching his children and their friends in baseball, basketball, football, and softball. He loved sports whether he was playing, coaching, or especially watching his kids and grandkids compete! He enjoyed music, movies, playing cards, and he had a special talent in writing poems for family and friends. He loved celebrating birthdays and holidays with his family, loved his kids, and especially loved grand parenting. He often took motorcycle road trips with family and friends to out of the way small town restaurants. He loved his time after retirement because it gave him more time to do all of these things, as well as travelling and giving the “un-retired” a hard time about still having to go to work.
He is survived by his wife Janis McGill, and seven children: Michelle Douglas (John), Kevin McGill (Ashley), Jennifer Stella (Jason), Stephanie Seager (Jeff), Melissa Neff, Jason McGill (Trena), and Beth McGill, one brother John McGill (Claudia), 21 grandchildren: Kelli Melton (John), Erin Sullins (Anthony), Lakin Jones (Eli), Haden Ramsey (Alexis), Taylor Deulen (Kelton), Dillen Ramsey (Morgan), Josie Johnson (Dustin), Ashlyn Seager, Carson Neff, Jasmyn Douglas, Cooper Douglas, Jordan Douglas, Brooklyn Douglas, Jace McGill, Blake Neff, Cole Seager, Abby McGill, Maci Neff, Maggie McGill, Emma McGill, Breckin Neff, 8 great grandchildren: Rhett Jones, Sadie Wheeler, Macie Ramsey, Zoie Ramsey, Knox Deulen, Zaylie Ramsey, Walker Johnson, Elsie Jones, many nieces and nephews.  His many friends included high school classmates, coworkers, neighbors, restaurant servers, and complete strangers that he talked with like he had known them forever. He will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents Wayne McGill and Lucille (McGill) Gay and three sisters; Lenora Melton, Becky Shull, and Janice Potts.
Mike and Janis attended Destiny Church in Republic, MO.
Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at Klingner-Cope-Rivermonte. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Klingner-Cope-Rivermonte. Funeral procession and graveside services with burial will follow the funeral and be at Klingner-Cope White Chapel. There will be a celebration of life with a meal after the burial at the Willard Community Center, 222 W Jackson Street in Willard.
Online condolences can be sent to klingnerfuneralhome.com.