Ralph E. Maguire

Ralph E. Maguire, 81, of Monmouth, formerly of Geneseo, passed away at 7:10 pm, Sunday, September 6, 2015, at Knox County Nursing Home, Knoxville, IL., surrounded by his family. Ralph was born March 13, 1934, in Macomb, IL, the son of Ervin and Magdalene (Unger) Maguire. He was raised and educated in Monmouth, graduating from Monmouth High School in 1952. He then attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Civil Engineering, after which he served 3 years in the Air Force. Ralph married Joan Watt, also of Monmouth, on August 23rd, 1955. Ralph spent the next 40 years in the construction industry, partnering with his brother Richard to form REM's Construction in Monmouth, and later working as a Project Manager for Galesburg Construction, Lueder Construction of Omaha, Dickens Construction of Geneseo, and Estes Company of Davenport, from which he retired in 2000. Ralph was an active member of the Grace Methodist Church in Geneseo and most recently the First United Methodist Church of Monmouth. He was a member of many social and community service groups, including the Lions Club and Kiwanis Club. He taught Sunday School, assisted with Scouts and Little League, and served on many church and community committees. His hobbies included frequent home-improvement projects, sketching old buildings he admired, and gardening. He is survived by his daughter, Laurie (Mark) Todd of Monmouth; son, Michael (Mary) Maguire of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Amanda (J.R.) Todd-Andrews of Galesburg, Melinda Todd of Monmouth, Laura (Andrew) Bogue, David Maguire, Rob Maguire and Maggie Maguire all of Omaha, NE; great grandchildren, Libby Andrews, Alexa Andrews, Landon Andrews, all of Galesburg; Maximilian Bogue and Nathaniel Bogue of Omaha; sister-in-law, Eleanor Maguire of Galesburg; sister-in-law Barbara Watt Johnson of Moline, IL; nephew, Matt Maguire, and nieces, Kathy Lara and Sara Gerlach. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan; son, Mark Maguire; brother Richard Maguire, and nephew, David Maguire. Funeral services with Military Honors will be 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 12, 2015, at McGuire & Davies Funeral and Crematory, Monmouth. Cremation will take place following the services with interment at Warren County Memorial Park at a later date. Friends may call Saturday morning at the funeral home where his family will be present from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to Grace Methodist Church of Geneseo or the First United Methodist of Monmouth.