Michelle Lee Jenkins, age 48, of Des Plaines, Illinois, passed away Monday, June 22, 2026, at her home.

Michelle was born January 30, 1978, at Franciscan Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois, to Mark A. Jenkins and Glenda M. (Ross) Jenkins. She graduated from Davenport High School in Davenport, Iowa.

Growing up, Michelle developed a passion for martial arts, earning several black belts and competing successfully in numerous tournaments. She loved spending time on the family farm, especially riding in tractors and combines, and treasured the time she spent with her grandparents.

Michelle also had a wonderful sense of humor. As a youngster, she disliked raking leaves so much that her stepfather, Don Cooksy, gave her a rake he nicknamed "Mighty Mitch" and encouraged her to earn spending money by raking leaves for neighbors. The neighbors were instructed to pay her by the job rather than by the hour—or they couldn't afford her. It became one of the many family stories that brought laughter through the years.

An avid outdoorswoman, Michelle especially enjoyed fishing and was always searching for a new place to cast a line.

Following high school, Michelle proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force. During her military career she was stationed at several bases throughout the United States, served at Ramstein Air Base in Miesenbach, Germany, and completed a tour of duty in Kuwait. While stationed in Germany, she was fortunate to spend time with her brother, Shannon, who was also serving overseas with the United States Army.

One of Michelle's favorite stories involved her first Christmas in the Air Force. While she was attending technical training, her father met an Air Force major—an F-15 fighter pilot—who happened to be stationed at the same base in Germany. Rather than mailing Michelle's Christmas gifts, the officer volunteered to personally deliver them. During class, the instructor suddenly called the room to attention as the major entered, requested Michelle by rank and name, and summoned her to the front of the classroom. After a few suspenseful moments, he returned carrying her Christmas package and explained that he had met her father back home in Quincy. Michelle loved telling the story, laughing that both she and her instructor "probably had to change their pants" after the unexpected visit.

After leaving the Air Force, Michelle returned to Quincy and worked as a conductor for BNSF Railway until health issues forced her retirement. She later returned to the Chicago area, where she worked for the Hines Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Michelle will be remembered for her love of family, her quick wit, her adventurous spirit, and the pride she took in serving her country.

She is survived by her father, Mark (Sande) Jenkins of Quincy, Illinois; her mother, Glenda (Ed) Beck of McHenry, Illinois; her brother, Shannon (Molly) Jenkins of Monroe City, Missouri; her sisters, Robin Palmer and Annelise Jenkins, both of Quincy, Illinois; her grandmother, Bonnie Jenkins of Quincy; her aunt, Marlene (Kevin) Whipple of Burton, Illinois; her uncles, Bobby (Mary) Jenkins of Columbia, Missouri, Bob (Vickie) Sears of Muscatine, Iowa, and Ron (Page) Ross of Gorin, Missouri; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Don Cooksy; her stepmother, Kimberly Jenkins; her grandfathers, Robert Jenkins and Roy Ross; her grandmother, Nadine Ross; and her great-grandparents, Robert and Juanita Jenkins.

Cremation has been accorded by the Hamilton Funeral Home in Augusta, Illinois.

No visitation is planned. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.