Michael Edward Pilkey

Michael Edward Pilkey, age 31, native of McMinn County, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023. His interest in magic began in the fifth grade. Later, he began a hobby as a magician and performed his many tricks to bring joy to others. Even in death, he was also able to give joy to others though organ and tissue donation. Michael was employed with Security Engineers, Inc. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He is preceded by his maternal grandfather: John H. Stafford, paternal grandmother: Jeanette Pilkey, maternal great-grandmother: Eula “Mimi” Harrod, paternal great-grandparents: Lee and Myrtle Pilkey, Junior and Almeda Cook, and his beloved fur baby: Buddy.

Michael is survived by his parents: Cathy Stafford-Nix (fiancé Tracy Starr) and Michael Pilkey (Jan), his loving wife: Tiffany Pilkey, sisters: Samantha Santos (Jonathan) and Amanda Brown (Joey), nephews: Hayden Santos and Grayson Brown, niece: Madalyn Brown, paternal grandfather: Lester Pilkey, maternal grandmother: Phyllis Underwood (Jerry), father-in-law and mother-in-law: Desmond and Sterling O’Neill, special friend: Kelly Morris, numerous magician friends, several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and two fur babies: Gabe and Max.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Ziegler Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 8, 2024, at McMinn Memory Gardens in Athens.

Randy Shirley, Kelly Morris, Jonathan Santos, Hayden Santos, Jerry Underwood, Brandon Johnson,

Desmond O’Neill will serve as pallbearers.

If you are unable to attend the visitation or funeral service, please sign the online registry at:

www.zieglerfuneralhome.com

Ziegler Funeral Home has been entrusted with serving the family of Michael Edward Pilkey.