Michael J. McGuire

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Michael J. McGuire, 84, lifelong resident of Lena, was born to Raymond and Lula McGuire on January 31, 1938. Mike passed away on June 21, 2022, due to a rare aggressive lymphoma. Mike was an athletic standout in basketball (he is a member of the 1,000-point club), baseball, track and football at Lena High School. He played football at St. Norbert for two years. Mike married Ellen Kristofick in 1959, and together they raised six children: Louise (Tom) Blankenheim, Lois (Jim) VanAbel, Maureen (Duane) Viano, Eileen McGuire, Renee McGuire, and Raymond McGuire. Ellen preceded him in death in 1988. In 1996 he married Judy (nee Strehlow) Peters and became the bonus father to Tracey (Sami) Awwad and Rick Peters.

In addition to his wife Judy, his five children and two bonus children, Mike is survived by 10 grandchildren: Katrina (Matt), Alyssa (Brandon), and Ryan Viano, Riley (Kelsey) and Taylor (Josie) Jantz, Bryan Lochner, Paige Parkes, McKenzie Stoll, Clay and Macie Peters. He is further survived by five great-grandchildren: Huxley, Stella, Nora, Paxton, Shiloh and soon number 6 – Sawyer as well as nieces, nephews, many in-laws and friends.

Mike was very active in the Lena community, which included the Civic Club (he started the first Civic Club fast-pitch tournament), he was on the first school board at St. Charles and was president for 16 years; Sportsman Club; village board member; the Lena Fire Department for 52 years from 1959-2011. He was assistant fire chief for 20 years (1965-1985) and fire chief for 23 years (1985-2008). His greatest love was coaching boys basketball. He coached St. Charles for 17 years (1964-1981) and started coaching again with the Lena JVs (2003-2008).

Mike drove school bus for five years (1960-1965) and ran the family-owned “McGuire’s Bar” (1962-1975), which he purchased from his Mom in 1962. Mike was employed at Morley-Murphy for 30 years (1967-1997). He then drove bus for Lamers for 18 years (1998-2016).

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Ellen, his daughter Lois, siblings Arvid (Mary) and Sis (Francis) Gilles, two sons-in-law Kevin Jantz and Mike Pockat, daughter-in-law Missy Peters and nephew Ray Gilles.

Mike and Judy would like to thank the “dream team” Robin and Jesie from Compassus Hospice for their help, care and concern shown to Mike during their time together.

He will be sadly missed by his family and friends, but he left us all with hearts full of memories that will always bring us a smile and a good laugh. “Keep Plugging” was his constant advice.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, 438 W. Main St., Lena, on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 4 p.m. until the time of the Wake Service at 7 pm with Deacon Peter Gard officiating. Visitation will continue at St. Anne Catholic Church, Lena on Tuesday, June 28, from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Father Nonito Barra officiating. Mike will be placed to rest at St. Charles Catholic Cemetery, Lena. Please visit RhodesCharapata.com to express online condolences. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Lena Fire Department.

“You can take the coach away from the game, but can’t take the game out of the coach!”

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