Suzanne Marie (Burgener) Michels, 59, left this earth to be with her Lord, Wednesday, January 11, 2023, after a few days in her home where family and friends were a constant comfort.

She was able to meet and hold her week-old granddaughter. Saying she will be missed seems like such an understatement. Her life was well-lived and left a lasting impact on so many.

Suzanne was born May 16, 1963 in Olney, the daughter of Sheldon and Doris Burgener. Mark, her brother, came along a few years later. She gave her life to her Savior, Jesus Christ, at an early age and lived the rest of her days to bring Him glory. She fell for the love of her life, Greg, at age 14 and they were together for five and a half years before becoming man and wife on October 8, 1983. They were married for 39 years. Greg and Suzanne had such great chemistry between them and were truly a team, experiencing together life’s challenges and opportunities. They raised three kids Jacob, who married Reiley Ferrell-Stout in 2016 and live in Olney; Brittany, who lives in Montezuma, IA; Christian, who married Melinda Morgan, also in 2016 and are raising two beautiful children, Arlo (2) and Indie (newborn).

After high school, Suzanne attended OCC in Olney and then EIU in Charleston, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She later obtained a Masters Degree in Administration from EIU. She was a natural born teacher, a gift she shared with Greg. She taught at the Olney Christian Fellowship School for a few years before becoming a personal aide to a high school student. She went on to work as a teacher’s aide at Cherry School before beginning 19 years as a 5th grade teacher, first at Claremont School, then at Richland County Elementary School in Olney. The last three and a half years of her career she took on a new challenge of becoming the Art teacher to 800(+) students ages pre-school to 5th grade. She really enjoyed teaching the kids art and was able to impact even more lives. Suzanne loved her students and truly cared about each one, developing them as individuals. Those who were taught by her often shared with her how much of difference she had made in their lives.

Suzanne was a strong decisive woman who naturally led others to accomplish more. She was immensely talented and creative, engaging in everything from calligraphy and counter cross-stitch to free-lance and zentangle drawings. She was extremely generous with her time, her talents, and the resources she had been given in life. Her gifts extended to the ability to play instruments and sing. She played French horn and piano in school as well as singing in various groups. Greg and her sang together for weddings and specials at church. They also were in two Christian bands, Pipeline and Oracle. They have been together leading worship at Elm Street for over 30 years (Suzanne on vocals and Greg on percussion).

Suzanne served alongside Greg as a member of Elm Street Christian Church in many ways, including Muppet groups, teaching youth, leading children’s choirs, teaching adult Sunday school classes as well as an online Bible study for the last two years. She was always busy with an activity or a project. Suzanne was an incredible wife, and mother who dedicated herself to raising her kids to love the Lord, the fruit being seen in each of her children having given their hearts to Jesus. She was loyal to, and deeply loved, her friends and built lasting relationships with so many people. She could brighten any room she walked into, as a family enjoying many times of laughter and fun. She radiated with the joy of the Lord, and often her family would wake up to her singing a praise song while dancing around the house with a big smile on her face.

Suzanne is survived by her husband, Greg Michels, son Jacob Michels and his wife Reiley (Ferrell-Stout) Michels, daughter Brittany Michels, son Chris Michels and his wife Melinda (Morgan) Michels, grandson Arlo Michels, granddaughter Indie Michels, father Sheldon Burgener, mother Doris Burgener, brother Mark Burgener and his wife Charissa (Wimberly) Burgener, sister-in-law Kathy Keimig, sister-in-law Cheri Michels, and several nieces and nephews.

Our family is so grateful for all the gifts, love, prayers and support from so many of our family, friends, and really the entire community! Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. Donations can be made to Elm Street Christian Church or Richland County Hope. Suzanne wanted everyone to put their hope in Jesus! God is so good!

Visitation will be held Friday, January 20, from 4-7pm, at Elm Street Christian Church in Olney, IL. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 21, at 10am, at Elm Street Christian Church. A private family burial will follow at Haven Hill Cemetery.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney, IL