Dennis Leo Mcguire Jr.

Dennis Leo McGuire, Jr., age 82, of Shepherd, passed away on January 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on December 3, 1943, in Mt. Pleasant, Dennis was the eldest of seven children born to Dennis Leo McGuire and Bonnie Jean (Strandburg) McGuire. Dennis shared a lifelong bond with his brothers and sisters: Colleen, Edmund, Kathleen, Mark, Daniel, and Christopher.

After graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1961, Dennis answered the call to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Navy in July of that same year. He was stationed on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Commissioned while Dennis was on board, the ship made him a proud "plank owner," a distinction he carried with great pride.

Following his military service, Dennis built a long and dependable career grounded in hard work and integrity. He worked at Fisher Body in Lansing from 1965 to 1967, then at Dow Chemical as a still operator from 1967 to 1969. In 1970, he began what would become his longest professional chapter with Diebold, where he worked as a service technician for more than three decades until his retirement in 2003.

Hunting and fishing were lifelong passions, offering him peace, adventure, and connection to nature. Some of his favorite memories were made on hunting trips to Colorado and Wyoming, where he pursued elk, mule deer, and antelope.

A faithful member of Sacred Heart Parish, Dennis lived his life guided by quiet faith and steady devotion to family. Above all else, he cherished his role as a husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Dennis is survived by his beloved children, Monica McGuire of Shepherd, Edmund (Danielle) McGuire of Cheboygan, Deborah Knopp of Florida, Robin Fournier of Sanford, and Denise McGuire of Shepherd; and step-daughter, Kerri (Chris) Bowen of Gaylord. He was a proud grandfather to 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, each of whom brought him great joy.

He is also survived by his siblings, Colleen (Ken) Harnick of Shepherd, Mark (Kathryn) McGuire of Shepherd, Daniel (Natalie) McGuire of Mt. Pleasant, and Christopher (partner Renae Martin) McGuire of Shepherd; brothers in-law Mark Methner of Coleman, Donnie Eckland of Mt. Pleasant, and Bob Sower; sister in-law, Peggy Sponseller of Mt. Pleasant; in-laws, Floyd (Lorraine) O'Hare, Mike (Maryanne) Bruce, and Hank (Crystal) O'Hare; numerous nieces and nephews; lifelong and special friends Roy Scarpato, Joe Gun, "Trigger" Don, Cody Machaffie, and many others, too numerous to mention; his wonderful neighbors, the Albaughs; and his billiards buddies.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Sandra (O'Hare) McGuire, Janice (Sower) McGuire, and Denise (Creech) Gross; brother, Edmund McGuire; and sister, Kathleen Methner.

A memorial service honoring Dennis's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home, with Deacon Jim Damitio officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Lincoln Reception Center, (attached to the funeral home). The family will receive friends on Sunday beginning one hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery on a separate date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project .

To watch the Memorial Service live, click HERE