Michael A. Hurt, 73, of Jacksonville, IL, peacefully went home to Jesus on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at his residence in Jacksonville. He was born September 17, 1948, in Terre Haute, IN, the son of Gerald Allen and Helen Louise Ulrey Hurt. He married Peggy Lee "Jamsie" Waldron on November 26, 1975, in Norwalk, CT, and she survives. He is also survived by three children Amy Rivers (husband, Stuart) of Virginia Beach, VA, Matthew Hurt (wife, Toni) of Jacksonville, and Kyla Hurt of Jacksonville; five grandchildren Jacob and Isabella Rivers, Brandon and Maycee Hurt, and Finnigan Hurt; two sisters Carole Brandenberg (husband, John) of Atwood and Becky White (husband, Bob) of Bushnell; and several nieces and nephews. Michael graduated from Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in Charleston; he then earned his MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign while employed. Following graduation from EIU, Michael taught school at Petersburg Porta High School until he joined the Abraham Lincoln Council, Boy Scouts of America as a district executive for the Honest Abe District, which included Jacksonville. He left professional scouting to serve as the executive director for JAARC/Pathway School from 1973 to 1984, during which time he spearheaded the construction of their first building on South West Street. Later in 1984, Michael joined the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and was named the superintendent for the Jacksonville Developmental Center, serving many years. Prior to his retirement, he began serving as the Deputy Director of the Illinois Dept. of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, with much of his efforts spent traveling Illinois to inspect and improve mental health facilities. A devout Christian, Michael was active in past years with Grace United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, and Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. He was committed to numerous mission trips to Haiti, Africa, and the Dominican Republic through the In His Service organization, where he was a dedicated board member. He also served as board chair and director at Passavant Area Hospital, as a volunteer scouter, and as an Elks Little League volunteer. He was a former member of Jacksonville Kiwanis, Jacksonville AMBUCS, and Jacksonville Elks Lodge. Michael enjoyed riding motorcycles with friends if it meant stopping for ice cream. He loved his card games with friends, rooting for the Illini football and basketball teams, country line dancing, catching the late movie at a local theater armed with a bucket of buttered popcorn, long drives with his golden retriever Marmalade, working in his yard, fried fish at dive bars, following Crimsons basketball, and last-minute road trips to Busch Stadium followed by a sack of White Castle cheeseburgers for the ride home. He felt blessed to own a condo in Costa Rica, a place where he and Jamsie enjoyed the weather, developed new friendships, and called home over the last eight years. Regardless of where he lived or in what organization he became involved, Michael seemed to always rise to a leadership and spokesman role due to his management skills, his eloquence, and his kindness and respect for others. Michael was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, reveling in their achievements. At his request, Michael will be cremated and there will be no service. In lieu of services, Michael suggests a random act of kindness be performed in his memory. Memorial gifts are suggested to Memorial Home Hospice, 644 North 2nd St, Springfield, IL 62702. Condolences may be shared online at buchanancody.com. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is caring for the family.