MATTOON - It could be said that Mike Bays never knew a stranger. And after he left his earthly existence early Sunday morning (Aug. 4, 2024) and was greeted on the other side by family and friends, we're sure he finally sat down and talked to Paul the Evangelist. (For those who missed the Johnny Cash reference, it's "One of These Days I'm Gonna Sit Down And Talk To Paul.")Graveside services honoring his life will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Schilling Funeral Home, with Masonic rites starting at 6 p.m.Michael Alan Bays was born June 9, 1941, in Evansville, Ind., a son of Carl Andrew and Lorraine Wilson Bays. He grew up in Urbana, graduating from Urbana High School in 1959 and Illinois Commercial College.Mike enjoyed hunting and studying Theodore Roosevelt. He owned stock in the Green Bay Packers, and thus the name of the family dog, Packer.He was a member

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/michael-bays-obituary?id=55774608