Michael Wayne Underwood

Michael W Underwood, 70, USMC, CPD was a longtime resident of Chicago, IL and recently moved to Park Ridge, IL. He went peacefully to his Lord on November 15, 2020 at home.

He was born on August 15, 1950, in Chicago, IL to Raymond E. and Hannah Mae (Minogue) Underwood. He married the love of his life, Virginia L. Brower of Chicago, IL on September 22, 1973. They were faithfully married for 47 years. He is survived by his wife Virginia and son, Michael Glenn (Tricia) and their four children, Alexa Isabel, Owen Michael, Aiden Philip and Everly Christine. He is also survived by his brother Walter (Patricia) Underwood.

Mike’s love for his family was unsurmountable and when his first grandchild was born, he was just so elated he couldn’t give any more love if he tried. He spoiled his 4 grandchildren so much that anything they wanted, they got. Having grown up in the  Chicago housing projects, he always remembered the days of his own childhood when he had nothing. His family was very poor almost to the point where him and his brothers ended up in an orphanage. He always had a special place in his heart for all children.

                ALL GAVE SOME - SOME GAVE ALL

                              SEMPER FIDELIS

Mike was proud of his time served in the United States Marine Corp. He did two tours of duty from November 1967 – September 1970. He served in the 1st Marine Division & the 3rd Marine Division from November 1968 – April 1970. He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the RVN Campaign Medal, the RVN Service Medal twice and the RVN Cross of Gallantry w/Palm & Gold Frame. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.  “After returning to the world” as he would say, he was assigned to H & S Battalion, Correctional Services Co. 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1970. 

            ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE

After serving in the Marine Corp, Mike then worked for the City of Chicago as a Police Officer, 1972 – 2002 where he earned numerous Honorable Mentions, Meritorious Performance Awards and letters of gratitude from the Superintendent of Police and community.  He also was an elected officer on the Board of Directors for the Fraternal Order of Police as a trustee of Chicago Lodge 7 for many years where he tirelessly volunteered years of going to court as the lead plaintiff in the Underwood et al vs. City of Chicago lawsuit for the Chicago Police Retirees pension. 

Mike was a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 242, life member of the VFW Post 3579, a member of the American Legion Post 134 and a member of the Chicago Police Marine Corps League Det. 553. Mike was an advocate for his fellow veterans and advised them on how apply for their entitled benefits due to illnesses from the spraying of Agent Orange in Vietnam. Mike was always helping others.

Mike was an avid reader and could talk to you about any subject. His love of history and genealogy took him to his ancestors' homeland in Donegal Ireland which was the start of he and his wife’s travel adventures. Of all the places he traveled to around the world, he especially enjoyed Rome with all the rich history that he always read about in books. His last vacation was to Mackinac Island where he and his wife stayed at the Grand Hotel, he always said it was like coming home. He first visited the Island was with his father in the 1950’s but Hawaii in the winter was always his favorite.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Hannah (Minogue) and a brother Raymond (Rhonda) Underwood, Aunt Catherine (Minogue) Raymond, Aunt Mary Minogue, Uncle William Minogue (Delila), and Uncle Joseph (Lorraine) Minogue.

The wake will be held at Cooney Funeral Home at 625 Busse Hwy in Park Ridge, IL, on Sunday, November 22, 3 pm to 7 pm, a short service will be held at 6 pm. The funeral will be held at St. Paul of the Cross, 320 S. Washington in Park Ridge on Monday, November 23 at 10 am. Due to COVID-19 not everyone will be able to attend the funeral Mass inside the church (you must register with the family ahead of time), but you are invited to join us in the procession to All Saints Cemetery afterwards.

In lieu of flowers please donate in Mike’s name to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, or the American Cancer Society. For information please call 847-685-1002 or visit www.cooneyfuneralhome.com 

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