Michael L. Hillis

Michael L. Hillis, 73, of Morton, passed away on March 13, 2026, at The Loft of Eureka.

Born on June 25, 1952, in McMinnville, Tennessee, to Landy and Joan (Steele) Hillis, Michael married Leslie Osborne on August 13, 1977, in Morton, Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Hillis of Morton; daughters Jessica (Derek) Wattenbarger of Caldwell, Idaho, and Abby Hillis of San Diego, California; son Jonathan (Ashley Donath) Hillis of Morton; grandchildren Reed and Landy Wattenbarger, Olivia Donath, and Liam Hillis; and brother Steve Hillis of McMinnville, Tennessee.

At the age of 11, Mike made his profession of faith in Jesus Christ at the Louisville, Kentucky Church of Christ. Though he would be the first to say he did not walk in perfection, his family finds comfort knowing that his tender young heart knew Jesus as his Savior.

Michael began his career as a machine operator at Caterpillar in East Peoria. He became an electrician through the Cat electrical program in Mossville and worked as an electrical technician before finishing his career in planning. He retired in May 2015, with his final project being the planning of the demolition of Building BB—the small engine plant where his long career with Caterpillar had begun.