Obituary of Michael Joseph Needham

Michael Joseph Needham, age 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Shorewood on Saturday, March 29, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.  Michael was born in Ireland on September 22, 1931, the son of the late Michael and Catherine (nee O’Grady) Needham.

Michael worked as a design engineer for Scully Jones, Bendix, Allied International, and then again at Scully Jones as an employee-owned company, for 52 years.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Margaret (nee Quinlivan) Needham; children, Mary Farrell, Kathleen (David) Joy, Eileen (the late Joe) Kmetty, Michael (Anita) Needham, and Joseph (Jodie) Needham; his niece and nephews that he considered his own, Mary Ann (Mike) Krupa, John Staunton, and Peter (Sharon) Staunton; grandchildren, Jim and Katy Farrel, David and Michael Joy, Christopher and Marissa Kmetty, Michael Needham IV, Wally and Christina Frank, Megan, Teague, Hayden, and Jake Staunton, and Kellen, Patrick, and Jack Krupa.  He was “Papa Cookie” to Crystal; great-grandpa to many; and brother to John (Eileen) Needham, Beatrice (the late John) Mullins, and Kathleen Needham.

He is preceded by his parents; and his siblings, Mary Renwick, Nora Staunton, Theresa Foley, Patrick Needham, Eugene Needham, and Austin Needham. 

Funeral Services for Michael Joseph Needham will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, IL, and will process to St. Francis Xavier Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to your favorite charity in his name would be appreciated.

For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.