Michael F. Clover, Lt. Col, USAF, Ret, 71, of Shiloh, IL, formerly of Harrisburg, PA, born July 2, 1955, passed away Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO.
Mike was a graduate of Central Dauphin High School, Harrisburg, PA, Lock Haven State College, Lock Haven, PA, and Webster University, St Louis, MO. He was a KC-135 pilot and member of the USAF for 28 years, retiring in 2006. Mike was a member of the crew that was a recipient of the MacKay Trophy, awarded for the most meritorious flight of the year, military or civilian, and is housed in the Smithsonian Institute’s Air & Space Museum. His crew rescued an F-4 fighter aircraft and pilot over the Atlantic Ocean, bringing them to safety. He retired from civilian service at Scott AFB in 2022.
Mike was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, and of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, O’Fallon, IL. He was the founder and coordinator of the Men of St. Joseph’s Men’s Group, a lector, and Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Augustine, a rosary leader, and member of the Brothers of Christ men’s group at St. Clare. He enjoyed spending time with his family, making model aircrafts, was a Dallas Cowboy/New England Patriot/Boston Red Sox fan and a train enthusiast.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph F. and Marie C., nee Karlovich, Clover; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eugene and Beverly Ferrara; two aunts; four uncles; two brothers-in-law; and a niece/goddaughter.
Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Debra Clover, nee Morris, of Shiloh, IL, formerly of Lock Haven, PA; a daughter, Ashley (Ryan Blaney) Clover; a son, Jeremy (Anna Pajares) Clover; three siblings, Joseph (Vickie) Clover, James (Cathy) Clover, and Susan (Barrie Smith); and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the National MS Society-Gateway Chapter, or to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2026, and from 9 to 10:15 a.m. Thursday, November 19, 2026, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 19, 2026, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial with military honors will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, IL.
