Michael “Mike” W. Pribyl

Michael “Mike” William Pribyl, 63, of Keokuk, passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

Mike was born on October 31, 1960, in Keokuk, the son of Hubert George and Marjorie Ann (Hartley) Pribyl. On June 19, 1981, he was united in marriage to Lisa Schilson at St. Francis Catholic Church in Keokuk. She survives.

Mike graduated from Keokuk High School in 1979 and went on to obtain a business degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb and a certificate from Gem City College in jewelry and watchmaking. He began working at Cahill-Pribyl Jewelry and Gifts in 1980, the family business that opened in 1930. In 1985, a fire destroyed his store and most of the block, and he was proud of rebuilding and re-opening with the backing of the community. Mike was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk and was an active member of the Keokuk community. Some of the civic groups he served in included Main Street Keokuk, Keokuk Area Community Foundation, Keokuk Rotary and Paul Harris Fellow, Keokuk Arbor Day Foundation, Lee County Revolving Loan Fund, Keokuk Yacht Club, Southside Boat Club, Keokuk Whiskey Tasting Society and the RJO Foundation, of which he was a founding member and the active president. Mike loved animals and the great outdoors, especially the Mississippi River. He could often be found foraging for mushrooms, fishing with his friends and family, boating, or feeding the birds. He also loved to play cards, a family favorite being Shanghai Rummy. Mike will always be remembered for enjoying life to the fullest, laughing at his own jokes, and his delicious cooking, especially his ham hash. But most of all, he will be remembered for his great love for his family.

Mike is survived by his wife Lisa Pribyl of Keokuk, son Trent (Beth) Pribyl of Glenwood, Minnesota, two daughters: Kayla (Elliot) Brown of St. Louis, Missouri, and Amy (Jeremy) Mefford of Quincy, Illinois; four grandchildren: Braden and Thea Pribyl and Josephine and Teddy Brown; his brother Steve Pribyl of Keokuk; mother-in-law Marsha Schilson of Keokuk; two brothers-in-law Tom (Shelly) Schilson of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Tim (Kim) Schilson of Basco, Illinois; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law Richard Schilson.

A private family service will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, with burial to follow at Sandusky Cemetery in rural Keokuk. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Tuesday, January 23, at the Keokuk Yacht Club, where all his friends are invited to attend.

Memorials may be directed to the Keokuk Area Community Foundation.