Dan Maguire Sr. Obituary – Dan R. Maguire, Sr. sat peacefully in his favorite recliner the morning of April 1, 2024, and the next thing he knew was the joy of entering his forever home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dan was born April 22, 1929 in Big Rapids, Michigan to Frank and Letta (Lake) Maguire, the second of five sons. He graduated high school in 1947 and joined the United States Navy, during which two big life events set the course of his life.
While his ship was at port in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he attended a Billy Graham Crusade, where he met and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Soon after, he met and married the love of his life, Elva (Hicks) Maguire in 1951. When he finished his military service, he attended Philadelphia Bible Institute and became a home missionary, starting two churches in Indiana and Missouri. In 1957, he moved his family to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, where he served as a letter carrier for the USPS for 30 years until his retirement.
He was also a faithful member and actively served in many capacities at First Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant. From 1991-2006, he was the pastor of Weston Baptist Church, just outside of Adrian, Michigan. When his beloved wife of 54 years died in March of 2006, Dan moved to Greenville, where he became a faithful and much loved member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and elder, spent countless hours visiting those sick in the hospital and homebound, and made it his personal mission to be the church greeter, blessing all with a smile and hug and the warmth of someone who deeply loved his Lord and Savior and wanted all to know that love.
He is survived by his five children: Dan (Kathy) Maguire of Greenville, Elva (Mike) Farrell of Greenville, Faith (Dan) Bender of Sinclairville, New York, Ruth (Tim) Hunt of Mount Pleasant, and John (Jean) Maguire of Grand Haven; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Robert “Bob” Maguire of Big Rapids; two sisters-in-law, Diane Maguire of Six Lakes and Evelyn Hicks of Three Hills, Alberta, Canada; and many friends and church family who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife; a granddaughter, Emily Farrell; three brothers and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Frank and Betty Maguire, Archie and Joanne Maguire, Richard Maguire, Earl Hicks, Jr., Esther and Nelson Loux, Bob and Dorothy Hicks, and Jim Hicks; and parents-in-law Earl and Esther Hicks. One of Dan’s favorite verses says: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
A funeral service to celebrate his life and faith will be held at 11:00 am Friday April 5, 2024 at Calvary Baptist Church (12501 Montcalm Rd., Greenville, MI 48838), with Dan’s pastor and friend, Rev. R. Mark Shaw, officiating. A luncheon and time of fellowship will immediately follow. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Hurst Funeral Home (1801 W. Washington St., Greenville, MI 48838) and Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 am at church prior to the funeral service. Private interment will be in Lenawee Hills Memorial Park in Adrian.
