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Home » Campus News Latest » Obituaries » John D. Prior ’78

John D. Prior, age 84 of Midland, MI, died early Tuesday morning, May 14, 2019 at his home. He was born December 23, 1934 in Detroit, son of the late Andrew and Eloise (Logan) Prior and was raised in Mt. Pleasant.

John was a 1952 graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Mt. Pleasant. He served his country with the U.S. Army as a Medic from 1957 until his discharge in 1959. In 1957, he married the former Phyllis Percha in Mt. Pleasant, a loving marriage that has lasted for 62 years.

John went on to receive his BA Degree from National Labor College/ Antioch College in 1978.

He was employed by the Dow Chemical Company as a R & D Lab Tech from 1959 until 1975 and was then employed as a Staff Representative at Local 12075, United Steel Workers of America, from 1975-1995.

He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Midland for fifty-five years where he served as Parish Council President and also served on the Christian Service Committee. He enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, camping, boating, and watching the Detroit Tigers. He also enjoyed reading, especially history and science books. Of all the enjoyments listed above, his greatest joy was his family, especially being with his grandchildren.

Surviving besides his wife Phyllis are his children; Margie McGuigan of San Diego, CA; and John A. Prior and his wife Marnie of Landrum, SC; grandchildren; Andrew and William McGuigan of Portland, OR; Michaela and Olivia McGuigan of Davis, CA; James Prior and his wife Ashley of Greer, SC; and Brendan Prior serving his country with the U.S. Army.

The Funeral Liturgy was May 18, 2019 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 3609 Swede Road in Midland, with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. John’s family received friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Midland Humane Society, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

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