We are saddened to report…
One of our association’s most active preservation workers, Mike Cummings has passed away. He died from a blood clot on December 30th. This was as a result of an icy fall he had just after Thanksgiving. He had an operation to repair a broken bone due to the fall. He was recuperating at home. 
Mike Cummings’ wake will be at Kurtz Memorial Chapel
65 Old Frankfort Way in Frankfort, IL
Friday, January 4, 2019 from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
View Mike’s obituary on Kurtz Memorial Chapel’s website.
Here are some comments from Association members whose lives were touched by Mike:
Mike paid for, built and directed the assembly of the motorcycle case at the Odell station. (He also prepared the motorcycle for display). He designed, donated and paid for all the awards for the charity cancer fundraiser car show at Odell. He was part of our painting crew at the Mill in August (see page 26 of the current 66 News). He was part of most preservation projects, large and small for many years.
~ John Weiss
There are no words…
~ Kathy Miller
Years ago Marty (Blitstein) met Mike Cummings at Delmar’s Restaurant in Blue Island eating French Toast wearing a 66 t-shirt. Marty went over to talk with him and gave him his card. They ended up having breakfast together and Marty gave him a membership application and a newsletter. They continued to meet and have breakfast as Del Mar’s was “Mike’s” place. Both their jobs changed but through 66 they stayed in touch. Mike would hand deliver his dues to Marty every year.
Mike came down to the museum, and went out west to meet Bob Waldmire and spent time on the bus with him. Mike is one of the few people that actually stayed with Bob and lived on his bus. Bob painted the whole interior of Mike’s Mustang engine compartment for him.
When Mike was in a horrible car accident out west, the Mustang was totaled. None of Bob’s artwork on the interior of the engine compartment was damaged and the car was shipped back to him. Mike saved it for his Waldmire collection that he started after meeting Bob.
Mike was a generous, good natured man who survived a lot of accidents and surgeries. He loved his bikes and would visit at Pontiac and then say “Got to go it’s just a beautiful day to ride.” Mike was an excellent photographer and had a series of photos of sunsets out west on Route 66 that were spectacular that he shared with us a couple of months ago.
We have lost an amazing, generous soul.
~ Cathie Stevanovich
Oh my gosh! This is so sad – condolences to everyone. He just repainted the sails at the Mill with John and John this summer.
~ Geoff Ladd
