Michele Anne Killian passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on October 19, 2026.

Michele was born on February 12, 1955, in Steubenville, Ohio, to Michael and Estelle Pillar. She grew up in neighboring Toronto, Ohio, where she attended grade school and high school, earning recognition as an honor student. In the fall of 1973, she began her studies at The Ohio State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the spring of 1978.
It was at Ohio State that Michele met the love of her life, William Killian. She was a freshman, and he was a graduate student. Their relationship blossomed into a lifelong partnership, and the two were united in marriage on July 9, 1978, in Columbus, Ohio. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and service to others. They moved to Chicago in the fall of 1981 before eventually settling in Michigan in the fall of 1987.

Michele dedicated her professional life to nursing and healthcare, serving others with compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment. As a longtime nurse, she specialized in cardiac critical care. Her work reflected the very essence of who she was: genuine, caring, faithful, and humble. Michele was always ready to step in and lend a helping hand, whether assisting fellow medical professionals or offering support wherever she was needed. Caring for others was more than her profession; it was a reflection of her heart.

A devout Roman Catholic, Michele’s faith was an important part of her life and guided the way she treated others. She carried herself with humility and kindness, never hesitating to offer her time, knowledge, or compassion to someone in need.

Above all, Michele treasured her family. She was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride in her three sons, William, Daniel, and Joseph. She even homeschooled her boys for a portion of their primary education, dedicating herself to their learning and growth. Her greatest joy in life was being a mom. Throughout their childhood, she loved traveling to watch her sons play baseball and cheering them on at their games. Those moments, filled with family pride and shared memories, remained among the many special experiences she cherished.

Outside of her nursing career and family life, Michele enjoyed cooking and was always on the lookout for new recipes to try. She loved traveling and exploring new places, including multiple hiking trips to the Grand Canyon. One of her most memorable adventures was a trip to France with a group from Ferris State University and her sister Marion, an experience that became a trip of a lifetime.

Michele will be remembered for her gentle spirit, generous heart, steadfast faith, and quiet strength. She lived a life devoted to caring for others, whether at the bedside of a patient, alongside her fellow healthcare professionals, or in the comfort of her own home with her family. Her legacy of compassion and service will live on in the countless lives she touched and, most importantly, in the family she loved so dearly.

Michele is survived by her beloved husband, William Killian; her sons, William (Tiffany) Killian, Daniel Killian, and Joseph Killian; and her siblings, Mark, Miles, Marion, Matthew, and Mitchell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Estelle Pillar and her brother in law, Harvey Yergin.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in Big Rapids, Michigan. A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, with the family receiving friends from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Father Jegar Fickel will serve as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s or Food For The Poor.