Michael McMahon, 19, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
It is with shattered hearts that we announce the passing of Michael Shawn Francis McMahon, age 19, who passed away on March 9, 2026, at Camp Pendleton, California, while serving as a very proud member of the United States Marine Corps.
Born on June 1, 2006, in La Crosse, Wis., to Shawn and Shelly McMahon, Michael brought great joy to our lives in a time of such great sorrow following the passing of his father. From the very beginning, Michael was a reminder of hope, resilience, and the enduring strength of family. He was baptized by Fr. Robert Schaller, a fellow Marine, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and grew up in the Holmen, Wis. area where he attended school and enjoyed playing both lacrosse and football. After he graduated from Onalaska High School, he attended Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., where he continued playing football, and met some of his best friends, who he considered brothers.
After spending one year at Concordia, he found his true calling and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Though it took Michael some time to discover his true calling; he found it in service to his country. He started his Marine Corps journey by excelling in Boot Camp as a guide and squad leader from October 2025 to January 2026. He was incredibly proud to be a Marine and found great fulfillment and happiness serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, even though his time was cut short. He always told us, “I freaking love being a Marine.” He was known for his strength, loyalty, and dedication to his faith, family, friends, and country. He made such a strong impact on so many people in his short time on this earth.
Besides being a U.S. Marine, he was a beloved son, grandson, brother, boyfriend, teammate, and friend. He loved lifting, flexing in every mirror he walked by, cooking, energy drinks, his PS5, making endless trips to Chipotle and Crumbl, butter pecan ice cream, late night drives up to the Rim of the City, scrolling on TikTok, The Philadelphia Eagles, late night snacks, being with his family and friends, and attending Youth Group, church camp, and adoration with one of his best friends, Ethan Topolski.
He met the love of his life, Gwen, while attending Youth Group at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, Wis., Michael loved Gwen so deeply. He told her that love wasn’t a strong enough word to describe the way he felt about her.
We take comfort in knowing he was strong in his faith. He received the sacraments regularly and prayed for his family and friends every day. He lived by the words of Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.”
Michael is survived by his mother Shelly McMahon, his siblings Maria Andrist (Jarid), AnneMarie McMahon, Caeli McMahon (fiancé Ty Patterson), Gus Linskey, and Siena Linskey, and his nephew Beckett Andrist. He also leaves behind the love of his life Gwen Marso, Onalaska, Wis. He is also survived by grandparents Bruce and Rose Ann Kubicek, Owatonna, and Tony and Sheryl McMahon, Wichita, Kansas, the Linskey family, and so many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
Michael is preceded in death by his father Shawn McMahon (1970-2006).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Michael’s name to The La Crosse Lightning Club, Onalaska High School football program, St Patrick’s Youth Group, or Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Holmen, Wis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 515 N. Main St., Holmen, Wis. Father Jim Weighner will officiate. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Dickinson Family Funeral Home, 515 McHugh Road, Holmen. A rosary will be recited on Wednesday at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow the Funeral Mass on Thursday at the Holmen American Legion.
Burial with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 27, at Holy Trinity Cemetery, 9946 24th Ave. SE, Owatonna, followed by a Memorial Mass and lunch at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com.