Michael D. Burkholder, of Loves Park, Illinois, passed away late Saturday night in his home. His family and his dog lovingly surrounded him as his journey with cancer ended. Mike was diagnosed with Lymphoma in May 2007, and had courageously battled it again in December 2007. Lucky as he was known on the road, was a trucker at heart. He spent the last 45 years working in the trucking industry. On Valentines Day, 1970, he married Rosemarie Burkholder of Rockford, Illinois. They traveled the country together working as a two-man driving team for a furniture moving company until they decided to start a family and their only daughter Patricia was born. Mike remained on the road and eventually fulfilled a dream of his by started his own trucking company, MRP Trucking, naming it after the three members of his family, Mike, Rose, and Patricia. In 1988 he began his career with Landstar, achieving the honor of becoming a Roadstar in 1993. He took great pride in his excellent safety record and having driven over one million miles. He left the road in 1993 to begin working as an orientation instructor at Landstar, in Rockford, Illinois. As an instructor he touched many lives of those that passed through his class over the past 15 years, as well as everyone who encountered his welcoming smile. He was a very devoted husband and loving father who will be deeply missed. His parents predecease him. Surviving relatives include his wife Rosemarie, daughter Patricia, sisters Mary (Dale) Kanack and Irene Sedbrook, brothers Nick (Amelia) Russell, and John (Sara) Burkholder, as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Honquest Funeral Family Funeral Home with Crematory Rockford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd., Loves Park, Illinois, on Friday April 8 from 5-8pm. Services will be held in Riverside Community Church, 6816 N. 2nd St, Machesney Park, Illinois, on Saturday April 12 at 11a.m. Visitation starting one-hour prior. In lieu of flowers the family has decided to help others on their cancer journey by setting up a memorial fund in his honor to be donated to the University of Madison cancer clinics where he received exceptional treatment and care. Donations may be dropped off at the services or can be mailed directly to Northwest Bank, in care of Patricia Burkholder/The Mike Burkholder Memorial Fund, 4932 N. Second St., Loves Park, Illinois 61111.