By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
18 Comments
  • Visitation

    Saturday, July 3, 2021

    12:00 noon to 3:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Saturday, July 3, 2021

    3:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    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 4th 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; 2nd cousins, Eric (Mindy) O’Donnell, Josh Chambliss; 3rd 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.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

18 Condolences
 
  1. Kathy potthast / June 30, 2021 at 3:39 pm

    You were a wonderful gift from God, and he took you back too soon. Thank you for loving your Momma and Dad. You will be missed every day. Thank you for watching over William for us. Rest.in Peace,.Mikey….have a dance with Ali….

  2. Austin R Shaw / June 30, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    Mikey was the best person anyone could ask for in their lives. He was also kind and willing to be there for everyone who was in his life. Whenever you were around him he brought out your true self and he inspired all of us to be who we really are. I may not have known him my whole life, but I cherish him and the memories we’ve made together for the rest of my life. I know he’s happy in heaven with his idols, and watching over all of us as we continue loving and living harder for him. All of his friends are honored to have met and been around him. We are all the better because of him. Love you mikey, we miss you till we meet again.. <3

  3. Ansley Thurmond / June 30, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    Mikey was the most genuine person i know. He made sure you were always okay, he would make sure you made it home safe, and he would always pick you up when life wasn’t going your way. i will always cherish the memories i have with him, from the late night jam sessions, him asking me what sneakers he should buy, or what gift he should get his mama, even the facetime calls after i moved away. Mikey always stood true to his character no matter what anyone thought. he was truly the light in so many people’s lives. love you long time Michael drake <3 see you later buddy

  4. Unnamed / July 1, 2021 at 8:18 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear of Mikey’s passing. I remember him as a young boy and am saddened for his family and friends. Mikey, Rest In Peace and go with grace into God’s loving arms.

  5. diana rogers / July 2, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. We aren’t supposed to bury our children. I can not imagine your pain. Aron, you guys will be in my prayers. It’s crazy how much he reminds me of Brian. Love you, Diana (Poss) Rogers

  6. John / July 31, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    Mike always posted funny memes on instagram and make me laugh sometimes. I never knew him but it’s sad to see such a young man pass away so soon. My condolences

  7. Jack Marchese / July 31, 2021 at 8:09 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. I am a huge fan of his meme page. I would always join his lives and he would always brighten my day with his posts. Ever since he stopped posting on June 25 my feed has felt empty. Rest in peace mikey you will be missed.

  8. Isaac / July 31, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. No parent should have to bury their child. I can’t imagine the pain your in. I didn’t know Michael personally but he seemed like the best. My prayers to you guys. May Michael rest in peace. Love you Mikey

  9. Oliver / July 31, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    May god the almighty receive you and bless you.

  10. Kevin Wilson / July 31, 2021 at 11:04 pm

    I’m very late and I did not know Michael personally, but he was a hilarious, caring and very lovable person, and someone I would call my friend. He was always there to share a laugh on his page and would constantly be seeking to interact with people and tell people that they mattered and spread positivity using his large audience. It’s unfair that something like this would happen to a soul so sweet. I will continue, to the best of my ability, to move forward with his image of positivity. Rest in peace Michael Drake Downey.

  11. Colby / August 1, 2021 at 12:05 am

    Rest peacefully Mikey, didn’t know you personally but your memes made me laugh every time. Going to miss you.

  12. Jason Lee Carlisle / August 1, 2021 at 7:49 am

    Hello I was a follower from his IG page and even though I never knew Mikey we were the same age. My condolences and my prayers for your family as you go through these hard times. We know that God has a plan and we may not understand it all the time but it’s working right now. Michael will be missed for sure but all of his followers and we are praying for you all.

  13. William Schenk / August 1, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    As a follower from Mikey’s Instagram I just wanted to say that his death struck me hard. Whenever I was down I knew that I could rely on Michael’s page to make me me laugh. I’ll be praying for his whole family god bless you man.

  14. William / August 2, 2021 at 5:05 am

    I didn’t know you personally but your posts would light up my day everyday without fail. I remember back in 2019 when my baby sister was in surgery I was at my lowest and I can honestly say that your posts saved me. Rest in peace Michael.

  15. Jonah / August 26, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    Mike seemed like a good guy who was taken so soon. I am sorry for your loss. Rest in piece, homie, you always made me laugh.

  16. Krystian / August 28, 2021 at 6:16 pm

    Mikey, you were a good soul. Always posting the funniest memes and making me and my friends laugh. Though I have never met you I will miss you.
    – Your follower from Poland

  17. Kennedy / March 3, 2023 at 8:41 pm

    Forever missing your advice and kind heart.

  18. Mikeys Momma (Jen) / April 10, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    Life just isn’t the same without you kiddo. I miss you so much…no words can even come close to describing how much I miss you and how much I love you. You are missed by so many. This world is missing a person who’s goal in life and every single day was to spread positivity, make people laugh and smile, to show others to be true to themself without worrying what others may think, and were always there for everyone no matter what. Your smile and laughter were contagious and had the best since of humor. Always made others see the brighter side of things, positive side of things when times were rough for them and even did so on your hardest days…because that’s who you were and what mattered so much to you. Were that way your whole life. Your personality was the best, most genuine person I have and will ever know. The world was a better place with you here. I’m the luckiest girl in the world because I am your Momma….Mikeys Momma…”you and me against the world”…forever and always. I have you as the best guardian angel anyone could hope for. You were all around just the best person….my son, my only child, my best friend, my ride or die, my everything, my world, my purpose. I’d give anything, everything, all of it…just to have you with me. Still doesnt seem real, still can’t believe you’re gone and probably never will. I love you with all of my heart and soul Mikey. Always will and always will do what you wouldve wanted. Love and miss you more then I can even put into words. To the stars, Michael Drake.💙🌎🦥⏳😇🎶🙏💙

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