Bernard James McGuire, 97, of Owensville, Mo. formerly of Mount Carmel, Ill, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013 at Gasconade Manor Nursing Home in Owensville, Mo.

He was born on July 16, 1915 in Enfield, Ill.; he was the sixth of seven children of Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Fyie) McGuire.

Bernard attended a one-room schoolhouse in Logansport, Ill. before moving to Fort Branch to live with his sister Lula Suttner and attend Fort Branch High School. He was the first member of his family to complete high school.

He married Virginia (Dolly) Halbig McGuire on Oct. 12, 1937 at St. Peter and Paul Church in Haubstadt, and they were the parents of five children: Glennis (William) Clancy of Placentia, Calif.; Kent (Connie) McGuire of Waxahachie, Texas; Ellen (Gary) Kilgos of Athens, Ga.; Charles (Kathy) McGuire of Cypress, Texas; and Joseph (Ann) McGuire of Dalton, Ga. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.

He worked for Emge Packing Co., Inc. in Fort Branch from July 1, 1933 to 1983. Following 50 years with the company, he retired as area sales supervisor in Southern Illinois.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 75 years and joined the Fourth Degree. He served as Grand Knight at K of C Councils in three states – Haubstadt; Mount Carmel, Ill.; and Cuba, Mo.. He also served as Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree. At the time of his death, he was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Owensville, Mo.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: sisters Lula Suttner, Julia Titzer, Marie McGuire, and Margaret Greubel Adler and brothers Charles McGuire and Thomas McGuire. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 38 years Virginia (Dolly) Halbig McGuire, on July 2, 1975; his second wife of 24 years Juanita Vaughn (married May 1987) in August 2010; and his grandchildren Shannon McGuire and Stephen Clancy.

Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14, 2013 at the chapel of Cunningham Funeral Home, Mt. Carmel, IL with rosary at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Mt. Carmel, Ill. with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.