Michael S. Poe, 76, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2026 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Community Support Systems.
Born and raised in Effingham County, Illinois, Mike was the son of Berlyn and Violet (Fitzgerald) Poe. He was married to Susan (Spence) Poe and later married Judith (Heynen) Poe.
Mike attended the Dieterich school system through twelfth grade and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Administration and Services from Southern Illinois University. He began his career teaching at Dieterich High School, where he helped start a teacher’s union in the early 1970s. He went on to spend more than 43 years serving his community with Community Support Systems, retiring as Executive Director in 2015.
Above all, Mike was unwavering in his devotion to his family, including his brothers and sisters and his aunt, Betty (Fulk), who lived with the family and helped raise Mike and his siblings. He was a father of four whose support and advice were always there when his children and grandchildren needed them most. He also had a great sense of humor and was always quick with a joke, a story, or a good-natured tease.
He was an avid outdoorsman and a longtime NASCAR fan. Mike loved hunting, and he especially enjoyed the quiet hike before dawn, when he would get settled and watch the woods come to life around him. Fishing was just as dear to him. He was happiest out on the water, sitting back in the boat, taking in the view, and letting the day unfold at its own pace. He cherished his many fishing trips with his nephew, Ed “Junior” Poe. Mike traveled to all 48 contiguous United States, and he treasured hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out again at the age of 56.
In retirement, he became a fixture at the Effingham Farmers Market, where he was known for having the best tomatoes around. He loved raising the produce and visiting with everyone who stopped by his stand.
Mike is survived by his wife, Judy (Heynen) Poe; daughter, Michele Poe (Matthew Harris); mother of his daughter, Sue Poe of Altamont; stepchildren, Lori Klein, Rob DeLong, and Kevin DeLong (Gitta Herzog); grandchildren, Alexis Blackwell (Jeremy), Jason DeLong (Lessica Reyes), Gabby Hopper (Drew), Tony DeLong, and Sarah Bredow DeLong (Constance Bredow); great-grandchildren, Chloe, James, Krystine, and Eloise; siblings, Bob Poe (Janet), Terry Poe (Susan), and Violet Poe; and his beloved pets, Blackie and Tiggy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his aunt, Betty (Fulk); and siblings, Brenda McKinney, Richard Poe, and Edward Poe.
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