Michael Magette
Swansea | Save
Michael Martin Magette, 65, of Swansea, IL, born Monday, November 28, 1960, in Long Beach, CA, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Michael lived a life shaped by kindness, connection, and a deep love for the natural world. In his younger years, Michael was a talented tennis professional whose skill and love for the game took him around the world. Teaching tennis internationally, he shared not only technique but also joy, discipline, and sportsmanship, connecting with people across cultures through a sport he truly loved.
Later in life, Michael and his wife became proud owners of a nature shop devoted to bird-feeding hobbyists. The shop reflected Michael’s appreciation for wildlife and his belief in slowing down to enjoy the simple beauty of nature. He found genuine happiness in helping others nurture that same connection, whether through feeding birds or learning more about the world just outside their windows.
A devoted sports fan, Michael passionately rooted for all his Los Angeles teams-the Dodgers, Rams, and Lakers-and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer them on. Fishing was another cherished pastime. For Michael, catch-and-release fishing wasn’t about the trophy; it was about the calm, the patience, and the peace found in the moment.
Michael Martin Magette will be remembered for his kindness, his love of sport and nature, and the quiet joy he found in sharing his interests with others. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the many moments of beauty he helped others see.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Robert and Lois, nee Martin, Magette
Surviving are his:
- Loving wife: Carol Scheckel, nee Whitman, of Swansea, IL
- Brother: Thomas (Marilyn) Magette of Wyomissing, PA
- Sister: Pamela Magette of Long Beach, CA
- Sisters-in-law
- Ann Innes
- Jeri (Ken) Blood
- May (John) Benedict
- Beloved fur babies: Cloak and Dagger
Services: Private family services to be held.
Kurrus Funeral Home
