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Funeral: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Interment: Elmwood Cemetery
Visitation: 1 until 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home
Michael Ray Persinger, age 71, of Flora, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, July 11, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Mike was born February 3, 1955, in Flora, the son of Raymond and Leona (McKee) Persinger.
During his Flora High School years, Mike was an outstanding athlete who excelled in football, basketball, and track. He later worked for many years as an oilfield roughneck on drilling rigs throughout the Illinois Basin. After his oilfield career came to an end, he moved to Sterling, Illinois, where he worked at Northwestern Steel and Wire Company.
Mike returned home to the Flora area in 2010 and went on to work at the Walmart Distribution Center in Olney and at Xenia Manufacturing. He later found what he considered his most rewarding job when he was hired as a custodian for Flora Community Unit School District 35. He worked at Flora High School for more than 9 years before retiring due to declining health.
During his time at the high school, Mike formed meaningful connections with many students. He spoke openly with them about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and encouraged them to become the best they could be. His favorite saying was, “No surrender, no retreat,” and those words reflected the determined way he lived his own life.
Mike was a caring man who took time to listen to the problems and concerns of others. He was also very detail-oriented and had a remarkable ability to remember the things people shared with him. In his later years, he became an inspiration to many, especially through the strength and perseverance he showed during his battle with cancer. During that time, Mike accepted the Lord as his Savior.
He is survived by 2 brothers: Steve (Jodi) Persinger of Flora and Allen (Miho) Persinger of Tokyo, Japan; nieces and nephews: Josh Persinger, Mandi (Brian) Robinson, Michael Daugherty, Keith Daugherty, Drew (Cass) Daugherty, Hunter Callahan, and Hannah (Danny) Argueta; a great-nephew: Hoyt Daugherty; great-nieces: Carmyn, Pyper, Trinity, and Chloe Daugherty; and many cousins.
He was preceded in passing by his parents.
A funeral ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 1 until 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to either Clay County Cancer Crusaders or Clay County Hospice, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
May 30, 1926 - Sep 29, 2026
Apr 14, 1949 - Sep 25, 2026
Jul 26, 1963 - Sep 24, 2026
Dec 14, 1932 - Sep 10, 2026
Jan 20, 1967 - Sep 13, 2026
I am so sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sorry to hear of Mike’s passing but it is a comfort to know he accepted Christ as his Savior.
What a great guy! I remember Mike well, even though we had 8 years between us. Steve, very sorry for this loss in your family. May his soul rest in peace in Heaven. So great that Mike found faith in Jesus.
Im so sorry to hear this. Sorry for the families loss. Mike was one of a kind. We would all be lucky if we found another like him.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers.
Steve and Jodi: We are sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was a great guy. He was friendly and a good man. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate through this difficult time. May God comfort and bless you. RIP Mike 🙏
What a nice guy...truly a special kind man. Lots of memories of Mike with my family. My thoughts and prayers to Steve and family. Mike will be missed.
Just one of the best human beings I have ever met. Fly high Mike!
I am so sorry to hear of Mikes passing. May you all be wrapped in peace and comfort during this time.
So sorry for your family's loss
He was a hard worker and a devoted long time friend. Mike was a one of a kind . Rest in peace Mike.
Mike will be missed!! he was a great guy and had a special way of connecting with the kids! he came to the kitchen to visit often and we talked . Fly high Mike you will be missed
So sorry for your loss. Prayers of comfort and peace for you all! I always enjoyed talking with Mike. You have our deepest sympathy!
Mike loved Flora High School. He took great pride in his work, and he told the best stories. His love for sports and athletes was second to none. He will be greatly missed.
So sorry to learn of this. He fought a good fight. So glad he came to know our Lord and Savior. He was so filled with love of life and of those he knew and loved. Sorry' Steve, Jodi, Allen, Miho and all other family members. We all lost a very special man who had the ability to make everyone he met feel important and loved.
He was one of a kind. He will be missed. So sorry.
My condolences to the family 🙏 Mike was a good guy 🤍
Im so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. I will miss our conversations. The kids always talked highly of him as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
So sorry for your loss thoughts and prayers for the family 🙏
Mike was a bright light of joy to me and a man of love and care for others My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Steve I'm so sorry about Mike. He fought a hard battle. He was a friend to everyone he met and loved his stories. RIP cuz you were one of a kind 💔
mike was a great friend of mine will miss him
Mike was a very special person and cared for all. I remember with peace his sharing concern at the death of my son. He will be truly missed but we may "grieve with hope" of a great reunion one day.
Well rounded person to be around....Loved listening to stories....Will miss talking to Mike!!!
So sorry to hear about Mike. I hadn't seen him for a few months. I had hoped for something different of course.
I will miss all the good times we had together my friend and the laughter we shared. You were a very special friend and I loved you like a Brother. Fly High and I’ll see you on the other side Brother.
Steve and family Know you’re in our thoughts and prayers. Mike was a very good friend to us from way back.
I’m so sorry for your loss! Mike was always a Kind Loving person and always had a Smile and a kind Word for everyone. He never met a Stranger he always had something to talk about. He will be missed by many. God Bless his family!
So sorry to hear of this, Mike was a Great guy. Thoughts and prayers for Steve and the Family.
Mike was such a good guy. He will truly be missed. Many thoughts and prayers for all of his friends and family💔🕊
Mike was loved by all students, his presence at the high school was one all will remember. With him memories of flora goes with. May he live on , god bless him and his family.
Rest in peace old friend.
Steve, my sorry to hear of Mike's passing. He will be missed by a lot of people; He was a good guy and I'm glad he was still here to help care for Lisa, I know she thought a lot of him. My they both rest in pace.
Rest in peace Mike. You always made things brighter. You’ll be greatly missed. Good days on Sledge Rig 3. Love ya brother. Chasing Jesus myself. God willing I’ll see you in Heaven.
Steve and Jody, we are so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. We know he is in no pain and a better place. He was always so happy. He came by here quite a bit and visited. He will definitely be missed love and prayers to you all may God comfort you all.
We are so sad that Mike was so sick for his last years of his life! He was a very good friend to all that knew him!! We always enjoyed visiting when we saw each other! He will always hold a place in our heart! I will miss his hugs!!
So sorry to here about Mike. He was such a great guy. Hugs to his family and friends. Rest in peace my friend.
Mike stopped by my room in May to say hi. It was great to see him. He was a hard worker and friendly to everyone. You will be missed Mike. RIP
I tried to get ahold of you when I was in Flora but couldn't connect! But will meet again buddy! Ride high!
Prayers for the family!
I am so sorry for your loss Steve. Mike was a great guy & one of the most positive people you can meet in life. Please know I am thinking of you all
Sorry Steve I won't be able to make it, we are out of town. I always enjoyed being around Mike. You have my deepest condolences.
So sorry for your loss “Persi”.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
