Mead C. Killion

Mead Clifford Killion, age 86, passed away from pneumonia on November 3, 2025 in Elkhorn, WI. A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM at the Marriott Chicago Schaumburg, 50 N Martingale Rd, Schaumburg, IL.

Mead is survived by his wife of 36 years, Gail Gudmundsen; son Thann Killion, daughter Tracy (David)  Mack, sister-in-law Joan Killion, sister-in-law Lynn Gudmunden, brother-in-law Vance (Virginia)  Gudmundsen; nieces: Rachel Hellenga, Heather Hellenga (Tom Colclasure), Caitrine Hellenga (Tim  Barker); nephews: Jesse Killion (Elizabeth); Jake Gudmundsen (Miriam Liabo); Theodore (Alison)  Gudmundsen, Peter (Caitlyn) Gudmundsen, Patrick Myers; grandchildren: Sean Mack, Lindsay (James) Anest and Ian (Jessica) Mack; greatgrandchildren: Maximos and Finley Anest; grandnephews: Braxton  Farr; Jackson Colclasure; John Gudmundsen; Wesley Gudmundsen; Theodore Killion; grandnieces: Harper Lee (Joshua) Lorentzson, Clara Killion, Sophia Killion, Claire Gudmundsen; great-great grandniece, Lydia Lorentzson. 

Mead was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hazel and his two younger siblings, Virginia Hellenga and David Killion. 

Mead was born June 5, 1939 in Woodstock, IL. He graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1957. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Wabash College, a master’s degree in mathematics from Illinois Institute of Technology, and a PhD in Audiology from Northwestern University. He received an ScD honorary doctorate from Wabash College. 

Mead was a design engineer at Knowles Electronics for over 20 years, after which he founded his own R&D company, Etymotic Research, Inc. in 1983. His unwavering mission was to develop products to measure, improve and protect hearing. Mead and colleagues at Etymotic were awarded over 100 patents in the fields of acoustics and hearing aids. Mead never actually retired; after selling Etymotic Research, he started another company to continue working on projects he still felt passionate about.  

Mead lived an extraordinary life. He frequently mentioned that both of his parents were preachers, so he insisted on sharing his passions with others. Mead will be remembered not only for his brilliant mind, adventurous spirit and unceasing curiosity, but also because he cared deeply for others. He was an inspiration to many. He touched countless lives in numerous ways: family, friends, colleagues, coworkers  and graduate students. 

Mead had a kind heart and took pride in the accomplishments of those he mentored. He loved teaching and felt honored to be an adjunct professor at Northwestern University.  

He loved music, whether it was listening, directing his church choir for over 40 years, or playing piano and violin.  

In college Mead began flying a sport plane and returned to it in his 70s-80s when he co-owned a Piper J3, his first plane. He was an avid runner and was especially proud of completing 32 marathons. 

Mead always encouraged others to celebrate the little things along the way. His groundbreaking work in audiology is an enduring part of his legacy, as was his commitment to making the world a better place.

Contributions can be made in Mead’s memory to Wabash College, VanderCook College of Music and the  American Auditory Society.