Deacon Michael J. Mcguire

Michael Joseph McGuire passed away in his home, surrounded by family in the early morning hours of May 3, 2017. He was born on July 31, 1937 on the family farm in Liberty, Nebraska to Edmund and Margaret (McGeeney) McGuire. He graduated from Barneston High School in 1956. He entered the United States Army in November of 1956 and served until his honorable discharge in August of 1958, serving 14 months in Germany.

Michael married Elaine Smith on August 27, 1960 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Summerfield, Kansas. To this union, eight children were born. In October 1992, Michael was ordained a permanent Deacon, and served in this capacity at St. Anthonys Catholic Church. He was a man of great faith, and was adamantly pro-life. He would wake each morning at 4 a.m. to say his daily prayers before attending mass, and would spend another hour in prayer each evening. He served as Deacon most Sunday mornings at the 7 a.m. Mass at St. Anthonys, and called that congregation "his people".

A salesman all of his life, Michael sold insurance for the Knights of Columbus, feed for Cargill Nutrena Feeds, and breeding stock for Hermitage NGT. Never leaving his love of the farm, he was most at home calling on customers in the agricultural field.

As an honorary life member of the Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Mike held various offices in both the local and state levels in Nebraska and Iowa, including Deputy Grand Knight, State Columbian Squires Director, and New Council Development Director. He was also the State Membership Chairman in the State of Iowa. He was very proud to help establish Council 9264 at St. Anthonys. Mike was a member of the Fr. Flanagan Division of the Omaha Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Mike took great pride in his Irish heritage, was quick with a witty comment, and didn't know a stranger. In his spare time, he enjoyed taking care of his lush green yard. He loved, farming with his brother, Tom on the home place, listening to Johnny Cash music, watching John Wayne and Hallmark movies, and listening to his children sing. Nobody has cooked the quantity or quality of bacon he has, and his Sunday morning breakfasts will be greatly missed.

He is survived by:
Wife: Elaine McGuire of Columbus, NE
Son: Patrick (Marion) McGuire of Columbus, NE
Son: Michael C. McGuire of Columbus, NE
Son: Matthew (Nicole) of Fort Collins, CO.
Daughter: Kelly (Ken) Hajek of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Maureen (Dean) Pasker of Wyoming, IL
Daughter: Shannon (Murray) Miller of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Molly McGuire of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Colleen (Devin) Adams of Omaha, NE
Twenty-two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
Brother: Dennis (Kay) McGuire of Lincoln
Brother: Tom McGuire of Barneston, NE
Sister: Mary McGuire of Lincoln, NE
Sister: Sr. Loretta McGuire of Atchison, KS.

He is preceded in death by:
Parents: Edmund and Margaret McGuire
Brother: James McGuire
Sister: Patricia Welding
Sister: Julia Triggs
Brother-in-law:Thomas Welding
Nephew:Brian Welding

Memorials may be directed to St. Anthonys Catholic Church, Scotus Central Catholic High School or St. Vincent de Paul Society