Michael R. Kroll

Michael R. Kroll, 55, local business and civil advocate, died at 1:25 a.m. at Galesburg Cottage Hospital after suffering a heart attack. Mike was born on March 11, 1957 in Chicago, the son of Robert and JoAnne (Riley) Kroll.  He married Michelle Hedinger on August 11, 1979 in Ferdinand, IN.  Mike is survived by his wife Michelle of Galesburg; his father Robert of Sevierville, TN; two sons, Nathan of Galesburg and Preston of Freeport; one brother, Stephen of Sevierville, TN; and one sister, Laurel Kroll of Strawberry Plains, TN.  He was preceded in death by his mother, JoAnne on August 4, 2012. Mike was a knowledgeable and educated man, having graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with his Bachelors of Arts and receiving his Masters degree from West Virginia University.  Mike was owner and operator of Dr. Mike’s Computer Therapist and the editor/publisher of galesburgplanet.com an online newspaper.   He was very active in the community from being a voice often heard at city council meetings to being active in politics and the Knox County Democratic Party.  But Mike’s passion was truly the Galesburg Public Library, serving on the board of directors and the effort to build a new library in Galesburg.  Mike was also currently serving on the Master Facility Implementation Committee and the GHS Core Committee for CUSD #205.  Per Mike’s wishes he will be cremated and no funeral services will be planned.  There will be a celebration of life for Mike at the Galesburg Public Library Sanderson Room on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 4-8 p.m.  In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Galesburg Public Library.  Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home, Galesburg.