Michael Brian Hillegeist was born on February 21, 1974 in Eureka to Mike and Davena Hillegeist. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 5, 2019 due to complications from type 2 diabetes.

As a child Michael enjoyed being a cub scout and playing Pop Warner Football, T-ball and baseball. As an adult Michael worked at Pacific Choice Seafood in Eureka. He also worked as a commercial fisherman on several boats.

Michael was very connected to his Native American Heritage. He enjoyed beading, making dream catchers, and bundling and smudging sage.

He was also an amazing artist. Michael loved everything to do with the outdoors. He loved riding dirt bikes with his two sons. He was a very outgoing person and was happy to give the shirt off his back to someone in need. He was a very hard worker. He once broke his foot and continued working the rest of the day.

Michael was proceeded in death by his parents, Mike Hillegeist and Davena Franceschi; grandparents Roy (Poppy) and Alice Duran, Reginald Land and Pedro Hillegeist; aunt Carol Edwards; and cousin David Heflin.

He is survived by his sons, Brian and Brandon Hillegeist; their mother, Angie Eller; and daughters Brittney and Brandi of Salyer; sister Michelle Sletten (Ethan) of Montivideo, Minnesota; brothers Aaron Franceschi of Eureka and Billy Hillgeist of Soledad, California; grandmother Elaine Hillegeist (Pedro) of Eureka; aunt Donna Heflin (Jim Hyland) of Brentwood; uncle David Hillgeist (Jennifer) of Eureka’ niece Taylor Sletten of Montevideo, Minnesota; nephew Lincoln and niece Jazmynn Hillegeist of Florida; and numerous cousins.

Please join us in celebrating Michael’s life for a memorial service at Pierson Park 1608 Pickett Rd, McKinleyville on July 13, 2019 from 1-5 p.m. It will be a potluck; please bring a dish to share. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Go Fund Me for his boys.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Michael Hillegeist’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.