Kay Antoinette Michalak, nee Coxon, age 71, born August 1, 1951 in Mesa, Ariz., passed away Friday, February 10, 2023 at Saint Louis University Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Although she was born in Arizona, her family moved to Fontana, California when she was only two. They stayed there until her parents volunteered to teach in the Mariana Islands. First, they went to Saipan in 1964 for 2 years, and later they move to Guam in 1968. It was there she met her future husband, a US Airman, that would take her to many locations. They lived in Guam off and on until 1983 with short stays in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Rantoul, Illinois. In 1983, they moved to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois followed by Royal Air Force Woodbridge in Suffolk, England. They moved again in 1992 to Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina before retiring at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in 1993.  Kay and Pete finally bought their first home in Fairview Heights, Illinois in 1999.

Kay earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Guam.

Kay passed on a career to raise Peter and Kara, but she occasionally was a substitute teacher in Guam, Illinois, and England. Her true passion was quilting and taking pictures. She spent her entire adult life in local quilting groups. When she wasn't quilting, she traveled the world and took pictures of landscapes and buildings. Later, she spent most of her time helping out with the grandchildren. Kay and Pete were always active in church.

She was preceded in death by her father Theodore Coxon; husband Peter Michalak, brothers William Coxon and Theodore Coxon, Jr.; and brother-in-law Larry Larson.

Surviving are her mother Essie Coxon of Richmond, Va., son Peter (Janeen) Michalak of Republic, Mo., daughter Kara (Eric) Jacob of Highland, Ill., seven grandchildren Marie Affeldt, Shelby Michalak, Skylar Michalak, Paige Michalak, Joseph (Elizabeth Hunt) Van Horn, Jr., Alexei Jacob, Hadyn Jacob; sisters Annie Larson, of Saipan; Sara Coxon of Richmond, Va., sister-in-law Janice; and her beloved dog Bo.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com .  In memory of Kay, memorial donations are suggested to First Baptist Church of O'Fallon, Ill., or Hearts and Hands Quilt Guild at https://heartsnhandsquilt.org/

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in the main Worship Center at First Baptist Church, O'Fallon, Ill., 1111 E. Hwy 50,  O'Fallon, with Rev. Doug Munton officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

Livestream of the services available here.

Arrangements entrusted to Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon, Ill.