Michael “Mike” Assalley, age 38, of Taylorville, Illinois, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield, Illinois after a brief, but mighty battle with acute leukemia of which he was recently diagnosed.

Mike was born on November 12, 1985, in Bloomington, Illinois, the son of William “Bill” Assalley and Carolyn (Koehler) Assalley. As a youngster, Mike attended school in Mahomet, IL before his family moved to Effingham, IL at the start of his high school career. It was in high school that Mike met his future wife, Lauren. A product of a beautiful, close-knit family, Mike also spent much time in the LaSalle, IL and Peru, IL areas, visiting frequently with his beloved grandparents and extended family.

On August 4, 2012, he married the love of his life, Lauren (Sanders) Assalley in Effingham, Illinois. Mike and Lauren shared 20 wonderful years of life together as a couple–11 of which were in Marriage. They were blessed with three beautiful children, and Mike’s young family was his pride and joy.

Mike graduated from Effingham High School in 2004. While in high school, he was voted “Homecoming King,” was co-captain of the football team, and was also voted as “most talkative” by his peers. He had a brilliant mind and was knowledgeable on many topics–earning notable awards such as Daughters of The American Revolution (DAR), All-American Scholar, and induction to the French National Honor Society. He spent his post high school years working as a pharmacy technician for Walgreens before hearing his calling to service and returning to school. Mike graduated from mortuary school at Carl Sandburg College (Galesburg, IL) in 2014, with honors.

He started his early career working for Butler Funeral Homes in Springfield, IL, as a school intern, licensed funeral director apprentice, and then as a licensed funeral director. In May 2017, Mike ventured into entrepreneurship and acquired four funeral homes from Perfetti Funeral Homes, Inc. (Taylorville, Morrisonville, Sorento, and Panama, IL locations), and in July 2021, he acquired Young Funeral Home in Greenville, IL (his fifth funeral home). Mike garnered much success with his career and businesses in his young life. His legacy for service will continue. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Taylorville, a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2120. He was currently serving as President of the Executive Board of Directors for the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce, committee member for Sangchris & Taylorville Chapters of Ducks Unlimited, and he served on numerous other community agency boards including the Board of Directors for DowntownTaylorville.org and serving as a Past President of the Christian County United Way. He provided and awarded many scholarships to local high school students. Mike immersed himself in his community and had a true servant’s heart.

One of the most interesting and multi-faceted persons one could meet, Mike had a multitude of interests and skill sets including: music (playing multiple instruments, writing and recording songs), hunting–especially ducks and waterfowl–and outdoorsmanship, traveling, history, politics, sports (Chicago Cubs & Bears and Notre Dame Football were favorites), collections (often sourcing family heirlooms such as his ancestral Koehler duck decoys), and making memories with his family and friends. He hardly knew a stranger and touched many lives in his short time on earth with generosity, compassion, and authenticity. His quick wit and gifted mind brought much laughter and joy to all who loved him. Mike was a man of strong faith in God.

Mike was a loving husband, a devoted father to his three children, caring son, protective brother, and loyal friend. He is survived by his wife, who he often called “Love of my Life” and “My Queen,” Lauren E. Assalley of Taylorville; his children, Ila Belle Assalley (age 8), Vincent Francis Kent Assalley (age 5), and John William Assalley (age 1), all at home; his parents, Bill and Carolyn Assalley of Taylorville; his mother-in-law, Debbie Sanders of Watson, IL; his father-in-law, Derek Sanders of Newton, IL; his sisters, Lauren (husband, Wesley) Layton of Ypsilanti, MI, Sydney Assalley (significant other, Dillon Williams) of Ypsilanti, MI; his sister-in-law, Nikki (husband, Richard) Vahling of Teutopolis, IL; his brother-in-law, Logan Sanders (significant other, Catherine Zumwalt and her sons, Noah and Nicholas); his niece and goddaughter, Aubrey Vahling; his grandmothers, Jacquelyn Assalley of Peru, IL & Linda Koehler of Peru, IL; and many doting
aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Frank E. Assalley and maternal grandfather, Kent L. Koehler; paternal uncle, Robert H. Assalley; and a best friend, Zachary Fish of Effingham, IL, who also had an untimely passing.

Visitation & Funeral Mass: The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 108 West Adams Street, Taylorville, Illinois 62568. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024, also at St. Mary’s Church in Taylorville, with Rev. Piotr Kosk officiating.

Interment will follow the Funeral Mass with his final resting place to be at St. Maurice Cemetery in Morrisonville, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to an educational fund for Mike & Lauren’s children, c/o Lauren Assalley.

Arrangements have been entrusted to his own Shafter-Perfetti & Assalley Funeral Home in Taylorville, Illinois.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Michael, or to offer condolences to his family.