Michael Durschmid Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Michael Durschmid (Glen Ellyn, Illinois), born in Chicago, Illinois, who passed away on June 2, 2018, at the age of 57, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.
Michael described himself on social media as "Organic Vegan, Minimalist Living Lightly on Earth, Love & Respect for all, and Egalitarian/Horizontalist. If you know him as Mike, Michael, Wild Vegan or Master Hippie you would describe him as one of the most kind-hearted, nurturing, and generous people on Earth. Michael loved us, as much as we love him. One really cannot measure the impact he has made on the lives of his family, friends, fellow activists and community. Michael has decades of experience and active leadership with organizations concerned with ecology, organic farming, human and animal rights, and good stewardship of the earth. He served as board member for Wild Earth Sanctuary and holds a Permaculture Design Certificate from Spiralseed. Mike has served as the Chicago Area Organizer for Organic Consumers Association, organizing events, exhibits, rallies and speaking engagements covering topics such as labeling for genetically engineered foods, factory farming, and bee colony collapse. He also has had a leadership role with Illinois Right to Know GMO and is a principal organizer of Chicago March Against Monsanto. Mike also served on the Organizing Committee of Chicago VeganMania, planning and executing this major event, the largest of its kind in the Midwest, and he plays a major role in Rising Tide Chicago to stop hydraulic fracturing in Illinois. When Michael was called back to Glen Ellyn to help with family needs he got back into politics working with the DuPage County Green and Democratic Parties. Michael was the beloved son of departed Michael L Durschmid and June M Durschmid; devoted brother of Leslie (David) Walters, Mark (Jan); loving uncle of Shawna (Mike) Partipilo, Christopher Durschmid, Benjamin and Sara Walters; proud great-uncle to Michael Partipilo. Please consider honoring Mike's life with a donation to one these two organizations in lieu flowers. The Cancer Center provided Michael with hope and extended his life beyond his diagnosis. Wild Earth Farm and Sanctuary stands for everything Michael stood for. It was his place of respite…dreams…friendship…it was the lifestyle he planned for his future. Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University Leukemia Translational Research Gift http://cancer.northwestern.edu Wild Earth Farm and Sanctuary http://www.wildearthfarmandsanctuary.com Visitation is at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home on Saturday, June 9th from11:00AM- 4:00PM. A Memorial Dedication will take place at 3:00PM during the Visitation. Williams-Kampp is at 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton (1blk. East of Naperville Rd.). For information call 630-668-0016 or go to http://www.williams-kampp.com.
