Joseph Michael Bilgere, 73, died Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, at Baylor Medical Center of Garland, Texas.

Mike was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., on August 23, 1938, the only child of Joseph Edward and Mary Geraldine O’Reily Bilgere. He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Wichita In 1956. He graduated from St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City.

Joseph Michael “Mike” Bilgere and Mary Jean “Jeanie” Brazil were married on Feb, 23, 1963, in Chanute. For the last 31 years Mike and Jeanie have lived in the Dallas area. Surviving are their five children, James Joseph “Jim” Bilgere, Kathleen Annette Bilgere Foster, Robert A. “Bobby” Bilgere, Patrick Michael “Pat” Bilgere, Mary Elizabeth “Mary Beth” Bilgere Marshall, all currently living in the Dallas area. They have seven grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Fran Brazil Hawley and Bob, Grove Okla., Lorean Brazil Ruggles and Larry, Scottsdale, Ariz., Paul and Diana Brazil, LaHarpe, Mike and Jackie Brazil, Parkville, Mo., Janet Brazil Williams, Kansas City, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law Tom Brazil of Chanute.

Mike’s professional career was in accounting. His favorite pastime was sports of all kinds, but in particular he loved football. He was a member of the Dallas Football Officials Association for more than 20 years.

Mike was also involved at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson, Texas where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, was instrumental in starting the Mother Teresa Hospital Ministry, and was active in both Marriage Encounter and a Bible Study Group. He volunteered at several exhibits at Dallas Fair Park, including the Catherine the Great Exhibit. During the Dallas World Cup, he worked as an accountant, managing their inventory. The last few years he enjoyed volunteering at Baylor Medical Center.

Mike will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.

The Funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 600 South Jupiter Road in Richardson, Texas, 75081, on Nov. 4, 2011. Memorials for Mike may be made to the American Heart Association online at americanheart.org/donate . To leave a message for the family online, email Jeanie Bilgere at jbtutor5@yahoo.com