Myron “Mike” Edward Kirwan

Myron Kirwan, 92, passed away Jan. 1, 2022, in Monroe, North Carolina. Funeral services were held, in North Carolina at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. Burial followed in Imperial, Nebraska at Mount Hope Cemetery, next to his beloved wife, Faye Jean Kirwan. We canceled the spring service in Imperial due to safety concerns for Mike’s brothers and sisters. Thus, Dad’s obituary now.
Mike was born July 1,1929 in Lexington to Kenneth and Alvera Kirwan. He was fourth of eight children. Mike was raised on a farm in Lexington and finished high school in Kearney.
Myron proudly served his country, a radioman in the US Navy during the Korean War 1951-1954. He received his teaching degree at Kearney State College where he met “Jeannie”. When courting Jean at her dorm, Mike would honk, “I love you” in morse code, on his car horn. They married June 17, 1956.
Their children were Karen, Michael, Kathy, Karl and Kris. As a young couple they taught dance lessons, bowled and Mom played the upright piano while Dad sang along.
Mike received his Masters Degree in Natural Science from Univ of Wyoming. He taught High School Chemistry and Physics for 29 years from 1965 to 1994. A tremendous volleyball coach, boy scout leader and bus driver. After retiring from teaching he worked at the grain elevator.
Family was most important to Mike. He loved Jean and was a family man. He helped us learn how to ride bikes, build wooden race cars, made our Halloween costumes and a tree house. He was a boy scout leader and helped his sons make canoes. Our meals were at the kitchen with prayer and much laughter. Dad was a jokester and loved to play pranks on us as kids. Dad loved to make people laugh. Dad enjoyed whistling and could easily be found outside by those happy tunes. Dad loved to sing little ditties. He was the family photographer and vacations were traveling by car to visit family and singing our way across Nebraska. We enjoyed Kirwan picnic reunions every summer and holidays at Grandparent’s in Arnold and Kearney.
Myron made home-made wine, loved to garden, raise roses and golf with his buddy, Rex. Dad was known for his infamous cannas and “All Blue” Christmas lights. Jean was involved in many community groups, Dad would help Mom with the needed various crafts at the kitchen table. They worked as a team. Dad supported Mom when she wanted to finish college. Jean finished her recreation degree at Chardon state college. She managed the swimming pool and Dad painted the locker rooms. Dad taught school and Mom drove a school bus and substitute taught. They cared for the neighbors and friends with visits. Dad mowed their yards and distributed his wine. These neighbors became very close family friends. Dad and Mom were members of the Methodist Church in Imperial where Mom loved choir, the women’s group, bible study and teaching VBS.
Mike was Jean’s caregiver for years, right by her side until Mom passed in June 2015. Dad continued to garden, give away produce and loved traveling to see Glen and Connie on the farm and Arnold Family, and his little sis, Maribell and Family in Kearney.
In August 2020, Dad moved to North Carolina to live with us because of his health. He missed Imperial, his friends and family in Nebraska. We had many months of smiles, songs, “a frog went a courtin”, whistling and stories that Dad loved to share. Dad made sure we helped him call his brothers and sisters on the 1st and 15th of each month.
It is a challenge to write one page about a lifetime of happy, wonderful memories.
A great Dad, husband, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. Dad will be missed by many. We are comforted knowing Dad is finally in heaven with his wife, “Jeannie”, who he missed very much.
In addition to his wife, Faye Jean Kirwan, Mike was predeceased by his children, Kathie Rae Kirwan, Michael Eugene Kirwan and Karl Raymond Kirwan; his siblings, Kenneth Arnold Kirwan, George Raymond Kirwan.
His survivors include his children, Karen Weiner and husband Richard of Indian Trail, North Carolina, Kris Kirwan and wife Ana of Indian Trail, North Carolina; grandchildren, Chelsea Weiner, Grant Weiner, Jocelyn Weiner, Brian Kirwan and Katherine Kirwan; siblings, LaRoue Kirwan, Emil Kirwan, LaRae Drew, Maribell Irwin, and David Kirwan.
The family asks if memorials are given, in honor of Mom and Dad, please give to the senior care ministry or the women’s ministry at the First United Methodist Church, Imperial. If you would like to share stories about Mike and Jean please send to Karen Weiner, karenweiner5@gmail.com, 2233 Redwood Drive, Indian Trail, NC 28079 or Kris Kirwan, kriskirwan1@gmail.com, 3500 Alden St., Indian Trail, NC 28079