Obituaries Announcements

Honorable Judge Michael Ireland
Mercer Funeral Home in Holton
Holton , KS

Honorable Judge Micheal Allen Ireland, 66, of Holton, KS passed away Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Stormont Vail Hospital. He was born May 23, 1949 in Holton, KS, the son of Russell L. and Pauline A. (Desbien) Ireland.

 Mike graduated from Holton High School in 1967 and received his Bachelors Degree from Kansas State University in 1971 while a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduating from K-State, Mike taught and coached at Southwestern Heights in Plains, KS, Winfield High School in Winfield, KS and Piper High School in Piper, KS (Kansas City). He fulfilled his dream of being Head Football Coach and Head Baseball Coach at Piper High School. He loved to teach and was invited as a special speaker for many local high schools throughout his career. He then attended Washburn University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor of Law.

Mike had his own private law practice, Ireland Law Office, in Holton for many years and had served as Jackson County Attorney for about 16 years. On August 21, 2006, Mike was appointed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius to serve as 2nd Judicial District Judge. He was currently serving.

He was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton and was active in many clubs in the community and surrounding communities.

Mike married Beverly Oppy on August 8, 1970 in Manhattan, KS. They recently celebrated their 45th year wedding anniversary.

 Survivors include his wife, Bev, of  the home; his daughters,  Lisa Rose (Ryan) of Holton, KS and Jill Vincente (Chris) of Overland Park, KS; his son, Mark Ireland (Carla) of Topeka, KS; 3 grandchildren, Brandt Micheal Rose, Kyler Farrel Rose and Logan Micheal Ireland; 2 sisters,  Brita Kelly of Topeka, KS Mary Dexter (Cork) of Holton, KS; a brother, Dennis Ireland of Holton, KS and a sister-in-law, Linda Ireland of Topeka, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Lawrence Ireland.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at St. Dominic Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Holton Cemetery.  Family will greet friends from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be given to the Holton High School Athletic Fund c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.