Michael D. "Miami Mike" Phelps

Michael D. “Miami Mike” Phelps, 53, of Andalusia, Illinois, died Saturday, October 1, 2022, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island.

A gathering to celebrate Mike’s life (complete with sandwiches and “dry” drinks) will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, October 16, at the Andalusia Lion’s Club, 302 2nd Street West, Andalusia, Illinois. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, under the direction of Trimble Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family.

Born in Des Moines, IA, Mike was quickly embraced by George and Bernadette to be their son. As a very young boy Mike became everyone's little darling when he would visit his father's many night clubs. The ladies swooned over his charismatic blue eyes.

Mike's passion for the NFL was realized early. Once the then 4 yr old Mike caught a glimpse of a dolphin doing a flip for a touchdown, it was all that was needed. He would not even go outside to play with his best friend Dan if the Miami Dolphins were on television. Miami Mike, as he came to be known, never wavered from his team, not once.

Mike attended Bettendorf High School receiving excellent grades and never really had to study.

He was an excellent cook, cooking for top restaurants including the well-known "Dock" in Davenport. He went on to fund administration at Sheet Metal Workers Local 91 and found his talents suited him in general management.

Mike could talk to anyone, any age, any walk of life about any subject. His charm, like the finest of gems, shown naturally. His spontaneous singing lifted up those around him. However, I think we can all agree that his singing needed a tuner. Mikes humor and super quick wit brought out genuine laughter. Mike would like everyone to know that he was way beyond his years, always stating some random number such as 103. Oh, and he was also a chef, a doctor, a lawyer, a coach, a referee, a farm boy, and a race car driver.

Much later in life at 42yrs old he courageously went to Blackhawk college and obtained his associates degree for physical therapy assistance and graduated in 2014. He was the only one in his class to have a personal secretary.

Mike had many best days of his life. At 15 his brilliant son, Michael was born, a few yrs later his beautiful daughter, Ashley. 20 years ago he met the love of his life, Wendy. Then his 2 grandsons arrived! And by God's grace he was able find and hug his true sister, Kara for the first time.

Mike carried with him a dark phantom pain with no name, no known origin something that even he didn’t recognize. Mike found only one way to drive that feeling away, but it never went away. The pain became disguised, imbedded and hid permanently within him.

In the end only God could release that pain. All the love surrounding Mike could not heal him, because if it could he would have lived forever.

Mike was proceeded in death by his father, George Phelps.

Surviving is his beautiful mother, Bernadette F. of IA, his sister Kara Erickson of IA, son, Michael (Kara) Phelps of WA, daughter Ashley (Billy) Nelson of IL, 2 grandsons, John and Benjamin, his very best friend and his ally Dan Eberline of IA. His love, his rock and his devoted soulmate Wendy Handley of IL. and her daughter, that he always considered his own, Desiree of ND. 4 nephews and 3 nieces and all his cousins and friends along life's journey that he was so close to.

Mike would want you all to know that he indeed loved you best.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.