Paul McGuire

Paul McGuire, 61, of Christopher went to be with his baby boy in heaven on Friday, December 23rd, 2022 at 6:27 PM at Deaconess Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana surrounded lovingly by his devoted wife, Julie, and his daughter, Lacy. Paul's big, golden heart is now healed and his strong but tired body is now at rest and no longer full of sickness or in pain. Paul was born in Chicago, IL to Paul "Sterling" McGuire and Doyce (Byars) McGuire on March 8th, 1961. He didn't know it yet, but that birthday would fall on the most perfect date, right in the middle of his two grandsons' birthdays, which was undoubtedly his favorite place in the world to be. Paul was united in marriage to Julie Anne McGuire (Greenwood) on December 30th, 1986 at home in front of their Christmas tree, and they shared 35 years together as husband and wife. Paul graduated from Christopher High School in 1980 where he earned the first of many nicknames 'The Animal' (and later, just 'Mule') while excelling in all things athletics. Paul was very passionate about sports his entire life, and he was constantly involved in athletics in some form or another. Just out of high school, Paul joined the Bankers, a slow pitch softball team that became more like family to him than just teammates. Being so young, it was with this group he earned the nickname 'Rookie'. Paul worked a few jobs here and there before he finally landed in with the Illinois Department of Corrections where he served for 30 years before he retired in 2018. During his time in corrections, his extended family grew even larger, with some of the best carpool buddies anyone could ever ask for. It was also during this time he got the nickname 'Big Mac'. Paul was never the type to sit at home for too long, so shortly after retirement, he un-retired (he always said Julie kicked him out of the house, but we all know that part isn't true) and began working in Security at Southern Illinois Healthcare. During his 5 years at SIH, Paul reconnected with some former coworkers but he also made a long list of new buddies. Paul's hobbies included coaching his daughter's summer softball teams with the CAYA, playing golf while pretending to work at Rend Lake Golf Course, coaching his grandson's summer baseball teams with the ZYP, late night Stags with his wife and their friends on their side-by-side then later those rides turned in to watching Andy Griffith at home on the couch with his wife. He also enjoyed showing off his baseball card collection in the basement and taking anyone who got out of line and rolling them up under the bushes. In between all that, Paul could be found spending time with his favorite people, his family. Paul is survived by his wife, Julie, his daughter and son-in-law, Lacy and Andrew Mitchell, his mother-in-law, Sharen Rowland, his two grandsons, Brogan Matthew and James Landry, and his snuggle buddy, Maxx. Anyone that was truly close with Paul knew that his family wasn't defined by blood, age, or even what city you lived in. It took a village to raise Paul, and he's been a part of a lot of other peoples' villages. He is also survived by Tom and Lynda Wheeler and family, Joe and George Wilkerson and families, Max McDonald and family, his McGuire family that he was only recently reunited with, friend and spelling tutor, Robin (Darnell) Bullock, and his angel in disguise, Steve Makowan. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Sterling McGuire and Doyce Hudson, his beloved infant son, Cullen Matthew, and his 'Dad', Joe Wilkerson. Paul's wishes were to be cremated so he could spend the rest of Julie's life at home with her. A Celebration of Life will be held at Gilbert's Funeral Home in Christopher on Sunday, January 1st, 2023 with visitation from 3-5 PM, and a memorial ceremony beginning at 5 PM. Family and friends are invited to continue the celebration of Paul at the Civic Center immediately following. Paul was never a big fan of receiving flowers and he very rarely gave them, so in lieu of flowers, it was Paul's wish to make donations to his grandsons' future endeavors.