Michael Drake Downey

Michael Drake Downey, 18, of Highland, IL, passed away Friday, June 25, 2021 at his home.

Michael was born on May 9, 2003, to Aron Downey and Jennifer Harvey, in Maryville, IL. He had attended Highland High School.

Michael ran a meme page called “meme.boy.michael” with around 50,000 followers.  He loved listening to music; his favorites being Mac Miller and Juice WRLD.  He had many interests; from collecting clothes and name brand shoes, to exploring abandoned buildings. The 4 ^th of July was Michael’s favorite holiday.  He loved his chameleon, eating soy sauce and rice, spending time with his friends, and going to the Graffiti wall and the Arch in St. Louis.  He loved spending time outside, hiking and camping. Michael enjoyed being a mama’s boy, fishing with his dad, and talking about his family all the time.  Michael’s friends were like his family, all very close.  An outgoing, caring, very down to earth person, who never said good-bye, but “Be Safe”; Michael wanted to see the world.  He was a beautiful soul, that will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Michael Downey; great-grandfather, Gene Downey; uncle, Brian Downey; and special “second mom", Jodie Broniec.

He is survived by his mother, Jennifer (Corey Weldon) Harvey; father, Aron Downey; grandparents, Ed & Sylvia Harvey, Donna Harvey, Cynthia & Roger Parker; great grandmother, Wilma “Nanie” Downey; aunts & uncles, James (Jenny) Harvey, Josh (Deb) Harvey, Jake (Joyce) Harvey, Angela (Bobby) Flowers, Dino Cruz, Evan (Jennifer Frerker) Downey, Ian Lackey, Ana Skosky; great aunts and uncles, Deb Downey, Lynn (Steve) Chambliss, Steve Downey, Terry (Nina) Downey; cousins, Violet, Hazel, & Cedar Harvey, Evyana, Amelia & Eli Hood, Brooklyn and Britnay Lackey; 2 ^nd cousins, Eric (Mindy) O’Donnell, Josh Chambliss; 3 ^rd cousin, Logan O’Donnell; friends, Ryley Broniec, Gabe Wiedle, Bryce Dennison, Hunter Hall, Kennedy James Freimann, Peyton Lackey, Vinny Emmer, Isaac Cruthis, and Austin Shaw.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Visitation: Saturday, July 3, 2021, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Funeral Service: Saturday, July 3, 2021, 3:00 pm, Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Clergy: Pastor Leonard Pye

Interment: At a later date

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.