Edward Michael “Mike” Reilly
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Edward Michael “Mike” Reilly, 84, of Lawrence, KS, drew his final breath on December 23, 2021 after a long struggle with complications resulting from bladder cancer.
Mike was born to Eddie and Catherine (Donoghue) Reilly on May 29, 1937. After a childhood spent in Omaha, NE and Fort Worth, TX, Mike graduated from Creighton Preparatory High School in 1955 and attended Creighton University and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. At Creighton U he met Carol Ann Carroll. They married in 1959 and started their family in 1962, eventually having six children. With the joys of blended families they counted thirteen grandchildren as their own, along with seven great-grandchildren.
Mike worked for the Union Pacific in the early days of computers, and learned programming on the job. Later he helped install and run one of the first computer systems at the Leavenworth National Bank, after which he worked on the pioneering ATM project with Commerce Bank. He retired from his programming career after consulting on a number of Y2K transition projects. During these years he also enjoyed teaching computer science at Platte County Vocational Technical School, where he advised the VICA club.
In retirement, Mike began a second career as a school bus driver for the Shawnee Mission School District, where he was loved by kids, parents and other drivers. He retired from driving at 74, after which he very much enjoyed being politically engaged, practicing his faith, and taking pride in the activities of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Music was always an integral part of his life. Mike played in a dance band in high school and
college, entertained his children with his crazy jazz piano, and taught his family to appreciate big band, barbershop harmony and so much more. Children and grandchildren have happy memories of dancing and singing everything from four-part Christmas carols to Spike Jones to Jock Jams. He also shared his gifts with the Cody Choraliers, the Heart of America Barbershop Chorus, and went to contests with his quartet, The Bank Notes.
His Catholic faith was also a big part of his life. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and for many years held the 4am Sunday perpetual adoration time slot, participated in music ministry and was a Eucharistic minister, both in church and at nursing homes. Even after his move to Lawrence he continued to sing with “Hosanna,” which provided liturgical music leadership at St. Joseph Church in Shawnee, KS for many years.
Mike was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Carol, his parents, Eddie and Catherine Reilly, his sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Tom Gurnett, his sister and brother-in-law Jacque and Norman Bradshaw, his niece, Peggy Gurnett and his grandson, Brian Reilly, Jr. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Karen Carroll, his brother-in-law, Frank Carroll, and his children Dennis (Marcey Kliem), Kansas City, MO; Kathey (Thomas) Hunt, Lawrence, KS; Shari (Donald Johnson), Story City, IA; Maureen, Lawrence, KS; Brian (Christine Woodward), Omaha, NE; and Tim (Lindsay Thomas), Cromwell, CT; along with twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be Friday, January 7, 2022, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Church, 1234 Kentucky St., in Lawrence. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist on Saturday, January 8, at 11:00am. Interment will immediately follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Creighton Preparatory School, Omaha, NE or St. Labre Indian School, Ashland, MT.