Mitchell Owen McGuire

Sometimes society judge’s success as the amount of material wealth that one accumulates or the number of titles or degrees that one has earned. Other times we judge success as by athletic achievements and followers on social media. Mitchell McGuire had none of these accolades but for those that loved and cared for him he achieved so many things in his life.

Born on April 1, 1989, at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac Michigan, Mitchell was the apple of his Father’s eye. Weighing in at 3 pounds and 4 ounces, Mitchell was a fighter from his first breath. Because his brain did not fully develop, within a month of his birth he developed seizures and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Mitchell spent much of his life in and out of the hospital. With grit, determination and his stubborn Irish Heritage Mitchell was able to overcome so many obstacles and challenges throughout his life.

Though Mitchell (lovingly referred to as Doodle Bug) was nonverbal, he could communicate with facial expressions and with his bright blue eyes. When he was happy, his face would light up with a bright smile that would consume his handsome face. But if he were upset, that bottom lip would pop out in preparation for a full pout that included him refusing to look at you. He liked soft and classical rock and if he did not like the song, he had been known to kick at the radio to change the station. Due to swallowing issues, Mitchell was not able to eat by mouth but that didn’t keep him from developing a sweet tooth. His parents and sister would sneak him tastes of ice crem and licks of a sucker which would make him grin from ear to ear. From his dad, he inherited a love for University of Michigan Football, his room was decked out in the Maize and Blue. On game day, he and his dad would sit and watch the game while wearing their favorite Michigan shirts. He and Todd loved Michigan so much that they even had a golf cart decked out in maize and blue.

He was well cared for and loved by his parents, Todd and Sandra McGuire; brother, Dan (Amanda) Malkin; 2 sisters, Kimberly (Steve) Glowacki and Jessie McGuire; as well as his nephews and cousins. Over the years he had many other people that cared and loved him including doctors, nurses, social workers and of course his teachers at the Bert Goens Learning Center. Mitchell was a big flirt with the females that cared for him and loved to be doted by all the ladies.

Mitchell loved animals and loved to travel. His parents owned a tropical fish business and watching the fish always brought great joy to Mitchell. He enjoyed going on trips in the motor home to fish shows and any place he would get to interact with animals. He went to Sea World where Shamu the killer whale splashed him, Shed Aquarium in Chicago, and Marineland at Niagara Falls. One time while attending a NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway his dad asked him if he was having a good time and he responded with a rare high five. Mitchell was very much a people person and just being around others was always special and brought great joy to him.

Mitchell McGuire lived life to the fullest. Though he was trapped in a body that could not hold his personality he taught his family many important lessons. Lessons such as patience, unconditional love and to accept others as they are not who you want them to be. His mark on his family will last forever and certainly never be forgotten.

Mitchell passed away at his home on Saturday, July 17, 2021. A memorial service will be held at the Van Buren Conference Center (490 South Paw Paw Street, Lawrence, Michigan) on Wednesday, July 28th at 4pm. Visit Mitchell's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and to sign his guestbook. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial tributes be directed to Mitchell’s funeral fund to assist with expenses.

Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, 60900 M-40 Hwy; Paw Paw (269) 657-3870