Michael Costello Trant, age 74, of Elmhurst, Army Veteran, founder, owner and operator of Duffy’s Tavern, Forest Park; beloved husband of Sheila, nee Duffy; loving father of Tracy (Joe) Kearney and Megan Trant; proud grandfather of Charlie, Will and Joey Kearney; dear brother of Sharon (Ray) Henningsen, Pat (Richard) Zettler, Jackie (Fred) Clark, Steven (Valerie) Willis and David Willis; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Michael was a member of Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion of the 506th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 101st Division. He was a proud Paratrooper and combat soldier in VN 1967-1968, a Tet offensive survivor and a Currahee! He was also a gifted story teller. He had a life well lived. Visitation Monday, April 26, 2021, 3:00 p.m. until time of funeral service 7:00 p.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 10393, Chicago, IL 60610. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com
Livestream of services beginning at 7:00 p.m. – https://iframe.dacast.com/b/128399/c/579947
Michael J Krawczyk
Rest in Peace my friend and Currahee Brother!
SoldierByte
Currahee my brother and God’s speed
Kirk Loring
RIP, Airborne
Ronald Faulkner, LTC, USA, Retired
My sympathies for the family of a brother in arms who served with the Eagles for his country and its citizens. Currahee!
Ron Faulkner, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Al Thompson
Loved his stories. Felt proud that I could introduce my own son to him, as we gathered at Fort Meade to visit the Wall. Our gatherings on this side will never be the same. Currahee My Brother!
Slow Salute
Al Thompson (medic)
Joe fisher
It was always good to see you Mike may you rest in peace in forever never Begotten airborne
Ron Ford
Mike I said good bye once before on February 2nd 1968 the bombs were falling the bullets were flying I saw no way out for either one of us we were lying nose to nose I said it was nice knowing you, your reply I can’t wait until we’re on Rush Street drinking a beer and laughing about this day and by the grace of god you saved my life twice that day and we made it out alive.I’ve loved you like a brother ever since.Every one of our CURRAHEE brothers have nothing but admiration and love for you PFC Trant.As long as there’s two or more of us alive I guarantee you will be the topic of the conversation with love and respect. I’ll see you on the other side I expect you to be waiting for me, I might need help fighting my way in.
dick balsamo
hi ron,
i am mike’s other best friend. since 8 yrs old thru all the years he was the brother i never had. he talked about u so much i feel like i know you. im going to call you in the next week. would be good to talk. i live in thailand so the call will be from an “unknown caller”, answer it.
lets make every day a great day,
dick
Scott Johnson
Mike, The times we spent together with you and Sheila were the most relaxed, funny and comfortable vacations we have ever had. Sitting in the morning with our coffee, enjoying the conversation was something I wish we could do just one more time. I love brother, my life was better for knowing you. You will never be forgotten. We will see each other again. I Salute You, Currahee
J. Stevens
Currahee my brother!
john harrison
Mike often made me laugh so hard my stomach and sides ached. He was simply irrepressible, often in a military formation, and even in combat as well. We went through AIT together at Ft. Old, California and later joined Company A, 3rd Battalion, 506th (ABN) Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. The legendary “Currahees” of “Band of Brothers” fame. Then we went to Vietnam together. We managed to get there in time for the bloodiest year of the war, celebrated Tet, the lunar New Year in Phan Thiet, RVN, and were lucky enough to return in an upright position. I have thought of him often one the last 53 years, always with a smile on my face, and I will continue to think of him until we are together again. In the meantime, like his family, I’ll just miss him. Currahee Mike.
Bonnie Kosson
There are no words to say… the countless memories and love and laughter that we shared will stay forever in our hearts…until we are together again! Bonnie, Tyler and Gabrielle
dicky
insert heart icon here.
Richard Rios
Rest In Peace Currahee brother.
Mairead Sorensen
Deepest sympathy to Sheila and family.
Mairead, Jay and Abbie.
Nina & Skip Fox
Mike you are so loved and will be missed by so many. Skip and I are grateful that we finally got to meet you and hang out in Portugal in 2018. Rest In Peace ☮️ ♥️
Eugene Tobin
Mike wasn’t only a bar owner he was a great friend. RIP
B. Mitchell
Mike was a special friend to me. I knew him for 61 years. We had many adventures as young men and made several attempts at entrepreneurial success. We never made the fortune we sought but remained friends anyway. I found in him a true brother. He believed in me and that meant a lot. His frailties were as human as those of us all but he had a special sparkle that set him apart. I shed tears for my friend. We’ll meet again on the other side.
Lynn
Summer in Venice won’t be the same without Mike. I’m Sending love, acceptance & serenity to you Sheila and family, knowing he’s with you always Lynn
Peg and Tom
You were always the sweetest of cousins. Glad we got to meet again later in life.
Looking forward to a family reunion with all the Trant family. RIP Michael.
Deepest sympathies to you Sheila and Meghan. XO
Charlie Marston
Meet MIKE in 1961 in HS he went his way and I went my years later we hooked up and found out we both were AIRBORNE found out we both VA the same year .the story we shared one on one knows the B-shit that happened REST IN PEACE AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY
Stephanie Willis & Victor Medina
We will miss you uncle mike!
Rochelle Allen
Uncle Mike,
Your light shown in every moment. You could tell a story like no other and you never ran out of new ones! I will miss those moments but have a lifetime to keep laughing with you. I am grateful to have known you in this lifetime and that the boys got to grow up seeing the cool dude and cannot wait till we meet again. I know you are watching over us and and asking everyone you meet–How you doing??!!! Love U!
Tom O’Connell
I first meet Mike around 1978 on Madison St. little did I know I would be working for him and Shelia a couple years later at Duffy’s. What a great time we all had there. We all had a blast and made a good buck. The Trants treated us like a family. We worked together and played like a family. I was lucky enough to vacation with Mike and Shelia in Fla.several times. That was a blast. . We had so much fun and will all be grateful for those times. Mike didn’t talk much about his time in the army as a paratrooper,but after reading what his fellow soldiers have written I am even more proud and lucky to be your friend. Mike thank you for your service and putting your live on the line for our country and for being a friend. Love you and I will never forget you a nd our times together. Please save me a stool and one of your great stories. Love you God bless.
Stephen Willis
My confidant, my friend and most important my big brother will be in thoughts and in my heart for the rest of my life. Rest in peace big brother, love you always. To Tracy and Meghan and Mikes bride Shiela of 47 years , our condolences and deepest sympathies. The Willis family
dicky
hi,
you 3 were the munchkins under the table while we were playing poker and mike was baby sitting. hope u all are fine.
dicky
Valerie Willis
Always in my heart. You will always be cool to me. Rest in peace Micheal.
Mary ann
ne of mike was one of a kind. Always upbeat and funny. Just a caring guy with a big heart. Rip friend
dicky
mike was the brother i never had. we went thru so much and so many of the times that fashioned the rest of our lives together. since we were 8 yrs. old we traveled together. from the corners of our child hood to switzerland and monte carlo and beyond. we had a whole lot of fun. he’s half my memory. which is kinda scary.
what can one say at times like these? i miss you? i will miss him every day of my life. and remember all the incredible times we had together. and smile.
happy you are out of pain my brother.
you were my best man and will always be the best man. mr. simpatico. what a wonderful life.
dicky
Bob Long
Mike was a great guy who made sure we were all having fun. THANKS MIKE..RIP Buddy…
Love you ❤
Michael Weir
I know it’s going to be a pretty lonely world without Mike in it. There are broken hearts, but lots of happy fun times to be remembered . My condolences to the Sheila and the whole clan. There really are no words.
Jay Eckhart
Mike and I shared many experiences while serving with the 3/506th, unfortunately, because we were in different platoons, we shared them anonymously. Several years back at a 101st Airborne Association I had the opportunity to meet Mike and from there on he has held a place in my heart. His ability to cause cheer kept the gatherings of our Currahee brothers and loved ones bright and full of joy. He will always be a light shinning in my memories. Stand in the door, jump right out and count to four…Airborne All The Way.
David Fleck
I meant Mike in Carbondale Illinois in 1969. We became Fast Friends, an effect I imagine he had on many people. A favorite memory, we jumped in his little Fiat Spring convertible and drove cross-country to Aspen Colorado. A summer to remember. Mike RIP
dicky
hi
Jim Schlax
RIP brother. CURRAHEE!
Doc Jones
My condolences to Sheila and family. Im glad I got to share some great times with Mike at Currahee reunions as civilians rather than sharing only that horrible year of war in 1968 in Vietnam. Mike was one of the most cheerful and funny guys you’d ever want to meet. The guy didn’t even know he was that funny! Just a joy to be around. He loved his Currahee brothers and we loved him back just as much. Rest in peace my brother.
Marybeth (O'Connell) Reilly & Brian Reilly
I first met Mike when my brother, Tommy O’Connell, introduced me to him at Duffy’s shortly after my 21st birthday. Who knew, shortly thereafter, Mike hire me as a waitress at Duffy’s! Mike was a great boss and made working those nights (after teaching all day) lots of fun — working the Bear games with my brother, Tommy, on Sundays, and working with Lorraine, Patty, Bobby, and Ned Wednesday nights and the weekend nights — so many great people Mike had behind the bar. Mike would always pop in to make sure all was well. He took great care of us! Just a short time later, Mike hired Brian Reilly to be a bouncer and bar back. Bri and I both filled when Mike needed help on a Saturday night back in August of 1987. Now my husband of 32 years, Brian and I have five children — wouldn’t have ever happened without Mike and Duffy’s! I can still hear Mike’s laughter at our wedding reception when our best man toasted Mike in his speech, thanking Mike for giving Brian and me that Friday night off so we could get married! Mike gave us a call a few years ago on New Year’s Eve after receiving our Christmas card. We had such a great talk! I told Mike that our two sons are now Forest Park Police Officers. He asked me to tell them to take good care of Duffy’s. I knew Mike was a Veteran — had no idea the combat he endured. Thank you, Mike for your service to our country, for your friendship and for bringing Brian and me together. Love you, Mike. Rest in peace.
Loretta
So sorry to hear about Mike. Shelia my condolences. I’m sure Robert would feel the same.
Mickey Magnifico
I am saddened deeply by this loss. Another great defender of this countries freedom, gone too soon. But I do stand up and salute you uncle!!!! I didn’t hear many stories from you of your time in the service, but you were one of the best story tellers I know and I will truly miss hearing them all. Wish we conversed more about the military as it was something we both had in common. When I was getting ready to go to the service, you offered to have me come do some work at the bar. I thought that was sooo cool, especially since I wasn’t 21 yet. But I never got paid, I was like “what the heck?!” Years later I understood what you meant by “getting me ready for the service” it was all part of the plan. Smart man!!! You will truly be missed uncle Mike, it was evident by the people that came, yesterday, the line never stopped. The kind words. The guys you served with and the guys in VFW groups. People you have traveled with, done business with, came to your bar, known as a kid. I am not sure you even knew the imprint you left behind! Puts a smile in my face and brings a tear to my eye. You will be missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!! May you R.I.P. in the big Open field where the poppies grow. Though you will be missed, I am glad the suffering has ended.
Aunt Shiela, thank you for taking such good care of uncle Mike and loving him so. My condolences on the loss of your husband and best friend.
Meg and Tracey, My condolences on the loss of your father.
Aunt Sharon, Aunt Patsy, Mom, Uncle Steve, Uncle Dave, my condolences on the loss of your bother. I know there are still sooo many stories we haven’t heard yet. Someone has to do him proud.
Until we meet again uncle Mike look down on us and guide us. Watch over us and keep us safe. Talk in our ears and be our push in the right direction. And let us know that we are not alone!!! Love you!!!
Dennis Gubbins
I was lucky enough to know Mike Trant my entire life. he was another cool “uncle” I am blessed to have thanks to my uncle, Dickie Balsamo. Mike was always my favorite (no offense Phil and Greg!) and I will miss him and his beautiful smile and infectious laugh. these last couple/few summers were the best getting a chance to hang with him and Sheila and “the gang” and have so many laughs and hear so many crazy and amazing stories from all the old folks…zing! ha. my love to Sheila and Megan and the entire Trant family and all who were lucky to know him. hit them straight up there Trant or Poppa Doc will let you hear about it! rest in paradise, kind sir.
Marilyn Trant
Dear Sheila and all Mike’s family–so sorry to hear of your loss. He was my closest cousin. It was so nice to see the two of you several times in Louisiana and again to get together in Greek Town more recently (before the Pandemic). Emmett was so happy that you met up and considered you a best buddy. Thanks to Nancy Trant and Nardo Chato your daughters got to meet all the Trant clan at one of their reunions. Mike did have a great sense of humor, I remember him telling us that he signed up for the paratroopers because he thought they said he would get an extra $30 a jump, and then found out it was $30 a month! Didn’t know he saw so much action in VN and kept a positive spin on everything. And ended up with a special fan club – the Band of Brothers. Thank you ALL for your service. Love you Mike. And a big Thank You to Sheila and his girls for taking such good care of him.