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Robert J. Mahoney Jr., residing in Sturgis, Michigan, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the age of 85, at The Orchards Skilled Nursing Facility in Three Rivers.
Robert was born on June 3, 1940 in South Bend to the late Robert J. Mahoney and the late Phyllis Irene (Pruett) Mahoney. He graduated in 1961 from Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Syracuse, Indiana with an Associates of Arts in Classical Languages degree. He then went to St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1963 prior to being ordained as a Catholic priest by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in 1967. After becoming a priest, Robert received a Bachelor of Arts in Music at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1979. From there he served as a priest in several parishes in northern Indiana. After two decades serving the church and its congregants, Robert chose a pathway to assist people with alcohol and drug addiction, ultimately obtaining his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Assessment and Referral Management Specialist credentials from the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals. Robert assisted numerous individuals in achieving sobriety and restoring their quality of life. Robert was an accomplished musician, performing the piano and organ during both his work for the Catholic church and during his years as a counselor. Robert was the pianist and organist for numerous churches throughout Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan, most recently and for decades at the First United Methodist Church in Three Rivers.
Robert is survived by his sister Kathleen Mahoney of Mishawaka; his nieces Susan Henry of St. Joseph, Patricia Henry of South Bend, Shannon Kilpatrick of North Augusta, GA and Jennifer Prawat of Mishawaka; nephews Dennis (Cheryl) Henry of Greenwood, IN, Robert (Melinda) Evans of South Bend, Timothy (Michaele) Henry of Marcellus, John (Kimberly) Barth of Birmingham, AL, Travis (Holli) Henry of Decatur, MI, Brian (Melissa) Mahoney of Indianapolis, Bradley Mahoney of Denver, and Brent Mahoney of Sarasota, FL; along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members in Ohio, North Carolina, and Nevada. Robert was preceded in death by his father Robert J. Mahoney, mother Phyllis I. Mahoney, sister Maureen Harris, sister Melanie Barth, and brother Kevin Mahoney.
Robert was entrusted to Hohner Funeral Home in Three Rivers for cremation services.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church, 215 N. Main Street, Three Rivers, where friends may begin gathering at 10:30 AM. The service will be officiated by Pastor Heather Nowak of the church. You will be invited to share your favorite memory of Robert’s life.
Memorial contributions may be given to the First United Methodist Church, 215 N. Main Street, Three Rivers, Michigan 49093, Three Rivers Health Homecare and Hospice, 711 S. Health Parkway, Three Rivers, Michigan 49093, or The Orchards Skilled Nursing Facility, 55378 Wilbur Road, Three Rivers, Michigan 49093.
