Michael Rivera

Michael P. Rivera, age 72, of Hanover, Illinois, formerly of Savanna, Illinois died Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at his home after a brave battle against cancer. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hanover, with Father Noel Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in Log Church Cemetery, Hanover.


Michael was born October 20, 1938, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Ascension “Manuel” and LaVonne (Hernandez) Rivera. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Savanna and graduated from Savanna High School Class of 1956. On August 3, 1991 he married Laura (Egbert) in Urbana, Ohio.


Michael worked on the line for International Harvestor building tractors in the Quad Cities and for International in Ohio building semi-trucks. He retired from Navistar in Ohio in 1998. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, and the United Auto Worker's Union for thirty-five years. Michael enjoyed being active exercising and spending time enjoying the outdoors. He enjoyed playing basketball and had a memorable “Hook” shot. Most important to Michael was the time he spent with his wife and family.

Michael will be dearly missed by his wife; Laura Rivera of Hanover; three sons, Michael D. Rivera of Rockford, Illinois, Tim Rivera of Beloit, Wisconsin, Freedom J. Rivera of Rockford; a daughter, Treasure (Walter) Hook of Middleburg, Florida; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three brothers, John Rivera of Collinsville, Illinois, Tony (Judy) Rivera of Camanche, Iowa and Francis Rivera of Collinsville; four sisters, Mary (Wesley) Bradley of Savanna, Kay (Herb) Greve of Savanna, Patricia (Howard) Haggerty of Hanover and Lena (Frank) Hernandez of Savanna. Michael was preceded in death by his parents.