The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Meet Your Neighbor

By Sally Day the Quill

Born in Ottumwa and raised in Burlington, Iowa, for the first eleven years of his life, Mike Lenahan now lives in rural Lomax. His family moved to this area when they built a home on his Mom's family farm. He attended Stronghurst schools from 1995 until graduating in 2003.

Mike next spent a year at Illinois College, playing football, after which he attended Southeastern Community College in Burlington, Iowa for a year. Western Illinois University in Macomb was where he next enrolled. The diligent young man worked full time as a Sales Associate for Menard's in Burlington, all the while attending college, from 2003 until 2007.

He went on to work at Advanced Electric Solutions in Burlington, Iowa, until 2010. Then he became an Admission's Adviser at Kaplan University in Davenport, Iowa.

He also worked for J & M Displays on a seasonal basis, beginning in 2003. This is a company which manufactures fireworks. He now serves as J & M's Compliance Manager, which entails understanding and teaching regional and state regulations.

Even as a hobby, Mike enjoys shooting off fireworks. He also thoroughly enjoys coaching soccer, basketball, football, and baseball for his eight year old, Noah's teams. Additionally, Mike coach's West Central football and basketball at the Junior High Level.

A candidate for the position of West Central School Board member, Mike is a very family oriented young man. He said that since moving back to this area and having both his sons attending West Central, he wants to put his best foot forward in running for the board. New formatting will be coming down from the state and Mike noted it will be imperative to keep the district fiscally responsible. The election is to be held April 7.

Mike is very happily married to his wife, Shylah, who is a recent graduate of Western Illinois University. She received her degree in Inter Disciplinary Studies, with a minor in Psychology. Shylah is currently a homemaker. She watches a friend's son three days a week in her home. Shylah grew up in Burlington, Iowa and was a 1998 graduate of Burlington High School.

Mike and Shylah have two sons, Noah, age eight, and Brady, age three. Noah attends the third grade at West Central Elementary and Brady attends Small World Day Care.

Shylah's Grandma, Clara Lindstandt lives with the Lenahans.

Mike's Dad, John Lenahan, is retired from Southeastern Community College, where he taught Electricity. He now resides in Gold Canyon, Arizona.

His Mom, Jill Lenahan, is employed at the Fertilizer Plant in Weaver, Iowa, and she resides in rural Lomax.

Mike has two siblings. His sister, Jennifer Clauson lives in Zion, Illinois with her husband, Kyle and their two children, Corbin and June. Jennifer runs a nature center at a park district in Park Ridge, Illinois.

His twin brother is Chris Lenahan, married to Bonnie. The live in Saco, Maine, where Chris is a regional manager of a power company and Bonnie is a teacher at a nearby college.

Mike's grandparents are all deceased. They were Gail and Betty Bowlyou and John and Jean Lenahan.

Mike's family celebrates birthdays with a passion, keeping them a week long event in his house. He said, "We even celebrate half birthdays!" Mike and Shylah were married on St. Patrick's Day, making that another fun celebration,

They also have a very close group of friends, who they celebrate a "Friend-mas" and a "Friends-giving" each year.

They also enjoy traveling, with a trip every year to his sister's on Valentines Day. Mike said they would like to travel to Europe some day. Shylah has been there twice, but they would like to go together. A cousin lives in Hawaii, another locale they would love to visit.

The easy going and hard working Mike said his motto is, "Stay true to myself and my family."