Michael R. Kroll, 55, local business and civil advocate, died on Dec. 10, 2012, at Galesburg Cottage Hospital after suffering a heart attack.  Mike was born March 11, 1957, in Chicago, the son of Robert and JoAnne (Riley) Kroll. He married Michelle Hedinger on Aug. 11, 1979, in Ferdinand, Ind.

Mike was a knowledgeable and educated man, having graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with his bachelors of arts and receiving his masters degree from West Virginia University. Mike was owner and operator of Dr. Mike's Computer Therapist and the editor/publisher of an online newspaper. He was very active in the community from being a voice often heard at city council meetings to being active in politics and the Knox County Democratic Party. But Mike's passion was truly the Galesburg Public Library, serving on the board of directors and the effort to build a new library in Galesburg. Mike was also currently serving on the Master Facility Implementation Committee and the GHS Core Committee for CUSD #205.

Mike was survived by his wife, Michelle of Galesburg; his father, Robert of Sevierville, Tenn.; two sons, Nathan of Galesburg and Preston of Freeport; one brother, Stephen of Sevierville, Tenn.; and one sister, Laurel Kroll of Strawberry Plains, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his mother, JoAnne on Aug. 4, 2012.