My Father Michael E. Lilly funeral Expenses

I never thought I'd see this day. I come to you now, my friends and loved ones, with a heavy heart and at a loss for words. Michael Lilly, my father, my Dad, has fought the good fight for several years now -- he has been battling a terrible form of leukemia and cirrhosis of the liver, and now it seems his long, hard fight is nearly over. His liver is no longer functioning properly, and his kidneys have shut down. He is dying, and these words are simply not enough to tell you all that I'm feeling and struggling with right now. Today I was told that Dad is in renal failure. He was moved to Hospice care on the 4th of February. I'm not sure if he'll be with us for even another week. Dad is one of the most well known Banjo player's in the bluegrass world, He performed on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour at age 11 and the Grand Ole Opry at the age 13. Dad went on to play for the Powell Brothers at seventeen and for Larry Sparks in one of Larry’s best early bands. He and Wendy Miller left Larry’s band and performed together for a while, making some LPs for Old Homestead, toured and played shows overseas including Paris, France! "He was a monster banjo man and heard on MANY of the classic Larry Sparks recordings, and made history with Harley Allen. He was one of the ONLY banjo players who could play great while singing great" -Joe Mullins It is always difficult for me to ask for help. I was taught, from a young age, to get through tough times, to work hard, to make it on your own. What I have isnt enough, and I am desperate for money to give him a proper burial, to make sure he has a proper headstone, and to cover any final debts he may leave behind. This fundraiser will go to the cost of the service at Newcomer, grave plot, headstone, opening & closing costs and hopefully enough to take care of any other final finances that come with the cost of a proper burial.  If there's anything you can do to help us -- any amount, no matter how small -- I will be eternally in your debt. If you are not comfortable with donating to the GoFundMe and would rather give your donation directly. Donations can be made to me. Feel free to send a message and we can arrange from there. Thank you, in advance, and God bless you. Norm Lilly