Herrin- After 99 years, 8 months and 18 days, Mario "Mike" Mira, passed away peacefully at his home in Herrin on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 4:00 PM.
Mario was born in Herrin on December 19, 1914, the son of Louis and Giovannia (Gualdoni) Mira.
He served in the US Army from September 5, 1942 until November 2, 1945. During this time he served as an auto mechanic in the Aleutian Islands. He transferred to a hospital facility in Daytona Beach, Florida where he met Jean Fanelli who he made his wife in April of 1946. They resided together for 64 years in Herrin where Mike worked as an auto mechanic at Brewster Motors for 40 years. She preceded him in death on July 14, 2010.
He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law- David and Joan Mira of Marshall, IL
Daughter-in-law- Janet Mira of Herrin
Four Grandchldren- Julie Corzine Mira of Herrin
Jeremy Mira of Paducah, KY
Michael Mira and wife Jolene of Pennsylvania
John Mira and wife Jamie of Herrin
11 Great Grandchildren
1 Great Grandchild
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son- Donald Mira, brother- Charles Mira, and sister- Netta Marshall.
As per his wishes, he will be cremated. A time of gathering for family and friends to celebrate Mike's life will be held from 9:00am until 11:00am on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Inurnment will follow at SanCarloCemetery with military honors performed by Herrin's VFW and American Legion Posts with assistance from the United States National Guard.
For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S. 13th Street; Herrin, IL62948. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit
www.hughesfuneralhomes.com