Student remembered for smile, 3-pointers

STERLING – When sophomore Michael McGarvey played basketball for Newman Central Catholic High School, he liked to stay behind the arc and shoot 3-pointers.

»Related story — Newman coping with deaths: School hit by 
loss of student, classmate’s mother.

Even though coaches wanted to play him near the hoop to take advantage of his 6-foot-3-inch frame, McGarvey preferred to freelance, spot up and take 3-point shots, said Mike Papoccia, athletic director at Newman.

“He loved shooting the 3’s,” Papoccia said, “and he was pretty good at it.”

But it wasn’t all business with McGarvey, who also is remembered for a great sense of humor.

“He had a very contagious smile,” Papoccia said. “Whenever I saw him, he was smiling. Kids always knew when he was around. It would be a lively session.”

McGarvey liked to joke around, said junior Andrew Schreiner, a friend and former basketball teammate.

Last year after the school’s track team won the Three Rivers Conference meet, McGarvey sneaked into the team photo, even though he wasn’t on the team, Schreiner said.

“He always wanted make you laugh,” Schreiner recalled.

Services 
planned

Services for the two victims of Tuesday night’s fatal vehicle crash have been scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Visitation for Michael McGarvey is 3-7 p.m. Friday at McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Ave., Rock Falls. The funeral is 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 500 Ave. B, Sterling, with a private burial at Grove Cemetery, Morrison.

Visitation for Beverly Alls is 4-7 p.m. Friday at Gibson Funeral Home, 616 Main St., Erie. The funeral is 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with burial at Erie Cemetery.

Obituaries on A4