Michael Malone

Michael "Mike" Angelo Malone,Age 31 of Yorkville, IL, formerly of Miami, OK, died Sunday, August 8 at Mt.Sinai Hospital, Chicago where he was taken after being shot in an apparent car-jacking. Although his own life was viciously taken from him, Michael gave life to more than seven others as a Gift of Hope organ donor.BORN/ CITY & STATE/ PARENTS He was born November 14, 1972 in Torrence, CA, the son of Michael Angelo and Suzy (Dollar Wingfield) Malone. Michael’s early years were spent in California until he returned to Miami, Oklahoma where he graduated from high school. An all-round athlete, Michael excelled in baseball, wrestling and track. He went on to attend Junior College at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College as well as Missouri Southern State College at Joplin, MO. EMPLOYMENT Michael’s first jobs were at Herrman Lumber in Miami, OK and later at Quality Wood Products. MARRIAGEOn April 28, 1995, he was united in marriage to Alysia O’Banion in Eureka Springs, AR.They made their home in Miami, OK where they were blessed with two children, Devon and Paige.The following year, they moved to Illinois where Michael became a member of the Laborers Union Local #288 and was employed with a pipeline company, Insituform Midwest. Work was good but living in Illinois took its toll on his marriage. Alysia and Michael separated several times over the next few years and divorced in 2000. Time would prove them better friends than partners and the very best of parents to their children. MARRIAGE On January 4, 2002 Michael was united in marriage to Kristen Algrim of Elburn. They were wed St. Lucia, West Indies and settled in Yorkville, IL There, a very determined and tireless Michael built his family their dream home. Indeed, everyone in the family was involved in that dream and worked hard to make it come true. Michael was the kind of man whose mind and body could never sit still – unless he was watching the Cubs! He was a huge fan and kept constantly on the phone with his brother through every Cubs game. LIFE NOTESMichael also loved to play baseball and traveled throughout the suburbs, playing with the "Dogs of War". When he wasn’t playing ball, he was coaching his son’s "T" Ball team or teaching the fundamentals to Devon, Paige and Parker. At the Malone house, back-yard-ball was an every night tradition.A totally devoted father, friends remarked that Michael was the kind of dad kids dream of… For all of his hard work and dreams, Michael’s world truly revolved around his family. Everything was done with them and for them. On the deeper side, Michael was well read and collected first editions of classic literature. He wrote poetry and was secretly working on his first novel. Michael was also very artistic, a talent he passed on to his daughter, Paige. Together, they could spend hours drawing mazes and cartoon characters. Loving husband, devoted father and son-in-law, best son, brother, friend and good neighbor, an endless list of the very finest adjectives fall far short of describing Michael Malone. In one horrid moment, his life was ripped from the hearts of family, friends and co-workers. But his light could not be dimmed, his spirit would not be denied. Mike Malone lives. In the halls of heaven, surely everyone knows his name and in our world, his signature will become an indelible part of numerous others who got a second chance at life because Michael’s family made sure his assailant would not have the last word.SURVIVORS In addition to his wife Kristen, he is survived by four children:Devon Issac Malone,Paige Madison Malone, And their mother, Alysia Stephenson, all of Fairland, OK.Parker James Malone of Yorkville, ILAnd Michael’s sweet legacy, a baby expected in March, 2005.His parents, Suzy Dollar Wingfield of Oklahoma and Michael Malone of California.Three siblings and their families:One brother, Jeff (Sheri) Trotter of Chicago, IL;Two sisters, Kimberly Bruce And her family: Bethany, Tiffany, Jourdy and Destiny, all of Tulsa, OK;And Carrie Wingfield, and her son, Trevor of Colorado.and one special uncle Jeff Wingfield, who took Michael under his wing as a son, when Michael came to Illinois. His mother and father-in-law, Ron (Phyllis) Algrim of Elburn, to whom Michael was a "second son";One brother-in-law, Greg (Jo Ellen) Algrim of Elburn and their daughter, Grace Elizabeth.He leaves as well, a family of friends and co-workers …Including his life-long best friend Chris Franks of Miami, OK (even though Chris was a Cardinal’s fan -that’s friendship)PRECEDEDHe was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jackie Malone. A memorial in Michael’s name has been established to benefit his children and his favorite charities. In lieu of flowers, please make checks payable to the Michael Malone Memorial Fund and mail in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL. 60119. Tributes may be left at www.conleycare.com. Services entrusted to Conley Funeral Home, Elburn. 1-800-8-CONLEY.A memorial fund in Michaels name has also been set up at Castle Bank in Yorkville, you can make donations two ways, in person at any Castle Bank, or by mailing to 606 Countryside Center, Yorkville, Il 60560.

Visitation will be held at the Community Congregational Church, Shannon St. and Rt 47, Friday, August 13, 2004 from 9am to 2pm. Funeral services will follow at 2pm.at the church. The Rev. Katherine Lawes will officiate.

Interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn.