CHANNAHON — Mr. Michael E. "Mike" Zweeres, 63, of Channahon, formerly of Morris, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, Sept. 30, 2012, at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home with his loving family by his side after a short battle with cancer.
Born May 26, 1949, in New Haven, Conn., Michael was the son of Raymond G. and Margaret (Kennedy) Zweeres. He received his education in the Morris schools and graduated from Morris Community High School with the class of 1967.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Vietnam from Aug. 1, 1969 until Oct.13, 1970.
Mike married the love of his life, Joyce R. Thompson, on June 1, 1968 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was employed as a machinist with Caterpillar Inc. in Joliet for more than 30 years, retiring in May 2010.
He was an avid sports fan, following the Morris Redskins and NASCAR. He enjoyed playing a good game of cards and dice with his many friends and family. Together, with his wife, they enjoyed visiting various casinos.
Mike could always be found in attendance at the many events that his grandchildren participated in.
He was a member of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Local 851 of Joliet, Ill.; former member of John Martin Steele Post 6049 V.F.W.; Morris American Legion Post 294; and Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 967 in Morris.
Survivors include his loving wife of more than 44 years, Joyce; their two sons, Jeff Zweeres of Marseilles, Ill., and Joe (Tammy) Zweeres; and four grandchildren, Mackenzie, Ambrose “A.J.“, Griffin and Paxton, all of Morris; two sisters, Carol Zweeres and Debbie (Bob) Yard of Morris; one brother, Ray Zweeres of Wilmington, Ill.; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Bill Zweeres.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, at U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at the funeral home. Rev. Edward J. Howe, CR, of Immaculate Conception Church will officiate.
Interment with full military honors conducted by the Morris Color Guard will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill.
Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts in Mike’s memory directed to Joliet Area Community Hospice or Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice.
Condolences to the family can be extended online at www.ucdavisandsons.com.
U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call (815) 942-0084.
