Michael Douglas Songer (Meatball), age 55, passed away Friday, July 13, 2018 in Merritt Island, Fl.
Michael was born August 11, 1962 in Decatur, IL to Jerry and Betty (Atkins) Songer. He was a 1980 graduate of Cerro Gordo High School. Michael married Rebecka Sue Beneze on May 17, 1986 in Decatur, IL and together they have two sons. In 1970, Michael competed in the Punt, Pass and Kick competition where he was eventually sponsored and picked up by the Green Bay Packers to compete against others during the halftime shows of football games. This is when his love for the Green Bay Packers grew as he had the privilege to travel with the team and warm up Bart Starr on the sidelines. As an adult, Michael served two years on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Cerro Gordo, member of the Cerro Gordo SAL Post 117, member of the American Legion Riders of Lovington, IL, inducted into the Cerro Gordo Youth League Hall of Fame in 2008 due to many years of hard work and dedication coaching the Cerro Gordo JFL.
Michael was employed for many years with R. V. Evans Co. and Stratus Foods in Decatur, IL. His final years in Florida he was employed with Gerber Auto Body Shop and worked as a Shop Tech. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, deer hunting in Southern Illinois with his closest friends, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and never missed a Green Bay Packers football game.
Michael is survived by his wife Rebecka (Beneze) Songer of 32 years; sons, Jacob (Alissa) Songer and Alex (Nerissa) Songer, all of Merritt Island, FL; brother Steve Songer of Cerro Gordo, IL; three sisters, Theresa (Brett) Palmquist of Midland, TX, Julie (Greg) Cope of Merritt Island, FL and Jill (Troy) Dodson of Hammond, IL; three granddaughters, Amelia, Zoey and Paislee Songer and a grandson on the way, all of Merritt Island, FL; many nieces, nephews, family and friends who he adored so much. Michael was preceded in death by his parents Jerry and Betty (Atkins) Songer, sister-in-law Cheryl Songer and his nephew Mitchell Dodson.
Michael never met a stranger, no matter where he was. He always had a smile on his face and had a love like no other for his family and his hometown of Cerro Gordo, IL.
Family, friends and others whose lives Michael touched are invited to Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, 2827 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL 62526. Visitation Services will be held on Monday, July 23, 2018 from 4:00–8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home in Decatur. Burial will follow at Croninger Cemetery, Cisco, IL 61830.
The Songer family would like to extend our gratitude to the Brevard Co. Sheriffs Dept. and Fire Dept., Cape Canaveral Hospital, and everyone who played a part in helping us get Michael back home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Michael’s name to the Cerro Gordo SAL (Sons of the American Legion) Post 117.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com
