Michael Switzer

Michael Dean “Mike” Switzer passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Illinois, at the age of 80.

Born on October 3, 1945, in Waterloo, Iowa, Mike was the son of Joseph Herget Switzer and Marjorie Pierce Switzer. His childhood soon took him to Pekin, Illinois, where he grew up surrounded by family, friends, and the small-town community that shaped so much of who he became. He graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1963 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in History from Illinois State University in 1967, later returning for a Master’s degree in Educational Administration in 1980.

In 1967, Mike married Carol Jean Fortney of Oak Park, Illinois. Together they welcomed their son, Neil Alan, in 1971.Mike and Carol shared 44 years of marriage before her passing in 2011, a loss he carried with quiet strength and deep love.

Mike devoted his life to public education, beginning as a history teacher in Chenoa, Illinois. His gift for connecting with students and colleagues alike led him into school leadership roles in Paxton, Burlington, and Lily Lake. In 1993, he and his family moved to Arizona, where he became principal of Crimson Elementary School in Mesa. He retired in 2008 after a long and meaningful career spent encouraging young people, supporting teachers, and building school communities grounded in kindness and respect. He was known for his love of children, his warm hugs, and the steady encouragement he offered to everyone around him.

Life brought Mike a second beautiful chapter when he reconnected with his former Pekin schoolmate, Iris Bennett. The two were married on September 22, 2019, in Pekin. Their years together were filled with companionship, laughter, and shared roots. After living in Gilbert, Arizona, they returned to Illinois and made their home in Glen Carbon.

Mike was an avid golfer and a lifelong fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. He approached sports, hobbies, and friendships with the same spirit he brought to everything: humor, loyalty, and a generous heart. Those who knew him will remember his wonderful sense of humor, his loving personality, his kindness, and the way he made people feel seen and valued.

Mike is survived by his wife, Iris Bennett Switzer; his son Neil Switzer and daughter-in-law PJ of Fountain Valley, California; and his beloved grandsons Jeffrey, Zachary, and Charles. He is also survived by his step-daughter, Candice Bennett of Locust Grove, Georgia; and by his sisters JoAnn McCarthy of Olympia, Washington; Susan Spencer of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Cathy Kemper of Richmond, Texas. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews who cherished him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carol, and his step-daughter Jolene Bennett.

Memorial gifts in Mike’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://donorservices.alz.org, or the Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), https://autisticadvocacy.org.

Glen Carbon services:

Visitation will be held April 19th from 2–4 p.m. at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road, Glen Carbon, IL 62034. https://www.irwinchapel.com.

Pekin services:

Visitation will be April 25th from 2-4 at Preston Hanley funeral Home, 500 N. 4th St. Pekin, IL, 61554

https://www.dignitymemorial.com

Private family burial at Glendale Memorial Gardens will be at 1 pm before the visitation.

God has him in His keeping; we have him in our hearts.

Obit Provided By:
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home