Michael "Shawn" Way

Michael “Shawn“ Way passed away after a hard-fought battle with ALS. He shared his life with his first and only girlfriend, Kathy (Darnell) and together they built a family they were proud of: Alex, Hannah (Johnny Mitchell), Emily, Sarah (Danny Gorman), Kate (Justin Fell) and Michael. Shawn was also a proud grandfather to Bennett Gorman and Charlie Fell. The following describes Shawn’s life in his own words.

Born and raised in Rockford, Shawn was raised by his parents Bud and Joyce Way. His siblings, Dave (Rose), Brad (Julie) and Kathy (Stan Kline) were a constant source of support throughout his life.

Shawn graduated from Holy Family grade school, pitched for Boylan’s 1980 conference championship team, and quarterbacked the Stevenson South 6th floor “Pink Flamingos” to the intramural flag football championship at NIU, where he earned a degree in Marketing.

An avid sports fan–rooting for the Cubs, Packers, Bucks and Blackhawks thanks to his older brothers–Shawn loved coaching baseball and basketball and golfing with friends and family. His favorite course, Whistling Straights on Lake Michigan, reminded him of his father Bud, a diver, fisherman, and avid boater in Milwaukee.

Shawn was blessed throughout his career, spending 20 years at AMCORE Bank, co-founding Rockford Bank & Trust with longtime friend and Boylan classmate Tom Budd, and later serving as CEO of Milestone–an incredible organization founded by Jim Hamilton in 1973 serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Shawn was active in fundraising for Rock House kids, Holy Family School and Milestone. He served on the Holy Family Finance Committee and the Boylan High School Foundation.

Shawn loved his Rockford community–his friends, family, and coworkers–and was grateful for the life he was given.

The Way family extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported and prayed for Shawn and his family, the Mercy hospice team- Shana, Ramona, and Karen- for their compassionate care of Shawn, and to Dr. Juliette Schmeling for her dedication and support.

A wake will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Mulford Road on Thursday, October 9, from 4-7p.m. To celebrate Shawn’s love for his favorite sports teams, those attending are welcome to wear jerseys or sports apparel in his memory.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church Friday, October 10, at 11a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Milestone and/or Rock House Kids.