Ernest Mcdonald

Ernest Carol “Mac” McDonald, 88, of Bettendorf, Iowa and formerly of Ottumwa, Iowa, passed away Friday, May 17, 2013 at Genesis Medical Center, West Campus in Davenport after an accidental head injury.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 20, 2013 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bettendorf. Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Monday at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Mac was born on April 19, 1925 in Greenville, Kentucky, the son of Louis and Mildred (Whitescarver) McDonald. He was raised on the family farm with his siblings, Mabrey, Josie and David.

On June 8, 1946 at Sacred Heart Church in Ottumwa he married Donna Marie Stump. Mac and Donna enjoyed 66 years of wonderful marriage. Mac served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Following his discharge from the Navy, he returned to Ottumwa and was employed by John Deere. During his time at John Deere, Mac held various positions, working his way up to manager of reliability. He retired in 1982 after 36 years of service. During his working career, he obtained his Bachelor’s in Business from Upper Iowa University.

While in Ottumwa, Mac was involved in many local community and private organizations. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a board member for Walsh Catholic Schools and Saint Joseph Hospital. Mac volunteered countless hours as a coach for his children’s teams. He was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast. As a golfer, he won numerous city and private golf tournaments and continued to enjoy this sport until his death. He never missed an opportunity to participate, watch or give advice on a sporting event. Mac was passionate about politics and always enjoyed a good debate.

Mac and Donna moved to the Quad Cities in 1996. They had numerous friends in Ottumwa and the Quad Cities. He will be remembered for his generous heart, hardworking ethics and moral values. Mac was a wonderful husband for to the love of his life and brought much joy to his family. Grandpa Mac will be missed by us all.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Donna; his sons and their wives, Mike and Gayle McDonald of Williamsburg, Virginia and Joe and Darcy McDonald of Horicon, Wisconsin; his daughter and her husband, Mary and Terry Nelson of Bettendorf; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Josie (Charles) Owsley of Bowling Green, Kentucky and one brother, David McDonald of Bardstown, Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Mabrey and a sister-in-law.

Mac’s family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to physicians, nurses and staff of the West Campus of Genesis Medical Center for the wonderful care given to him during his final days.