Dr. Michael Anagnostopoulos

Michael Anagnostopoulos, 96, of Belleville, Illinois, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

Michael met his wife, the late Teresa (Voelker) Anagnostopoulos, a nurse,  while both were earning their degrees at St. Louis University.  Devoted to Teresa since they  married on August 24, 1958, Michael never stopped  honoring his love for her, continuously gracing her burial site with  fresh flowers from her garden until his own death.  

Michael was a beloved father to  his four daughters, Photeine (James Stynes), Maria (Kevin Olson), Angelica (Hal Roberts) and Dorothea (Jill Fuller).  Michael cherished the love of his grandchildren, Michael, Patrick, Sophia, Anna, Peter, Helena, Ingrid, Alexandra and Nicholas (predeceased) and his great-grandson Alexei.

Michael’s life was an outstanding illustration of the American Dream.  Born February 20, 1926, in Greece, to a family of shepherds and farmers in the tiny mountain village of Mati, Corinth, Michael was the son of the late Elias and Photeine (Arbanite) Anagnostopoulos.  After enduring the Nazi occupation of Greece and serving as a soldier in the Greek Civil War, Michael immigrated to the United States in 1954 on a fellowship to St. Louis University  where his academic excellence and professional character  were awarded with membership in the national honorary society for dentistry, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Michael  was a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at St. Louis University. He established a private practice in Belleville, IL in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Michael’s  immense love of family leaves behind a beautiful legacy for his family in the United States and in Greece. Michael was a remarkable husband and father whose enduring love, wise guidance and unconditional love will be forever treasured by his family. The exquisitely beautiful grandfather clocks, rocking horses and furniture he crafted for all in his family stand as lasting testaments of his love. Following the example of his late uncle, Pete Anagnostopoulos, Michael’s generous support of his extended family in Greece enabled the education of many family members and aided the ongoing operations of the family farm.

Dear Dad, we will always carry your memory in our hearts.

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