NESLON, IL – Joseph C. McDonald, 80 of Nelson died April 24, 2018.
Our dad was born on December 3, 1937 in Rock Falls, the son of Clarence J. "Bun" and Josephine M. (Genz) McDonald. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Nelson, his mother's home town which became his lifelong home. He attended Nelson Grade School and was a 1955 graduate of Community Catholic High School in Sterling. While in high school, he excelled in football, basketball and track and was recognized, awarded and earned nomination to the All-Conference lineup. As a teen he life guarded at the former Butler Lake in Nelson and during the summer months baled hay and did other odd jobs to earn money. From an early age, his love of the outdoors and nature was in his genetic make-up and continued well into his later years. He followed alongside his late uncle Charlie Moats where he was taught the skills of being a great trapper and learned to skin, stretch and prepare hides for the fur buyer each spring. He enjoyed squirrel and duck hunting, rabbit hunting each fall, as well as in the summer fishing and running bank lines in the slough near his home in Nelson. He trapped until early 2000 when his ability to walk the fields became more difficult. As a teen he bought and old Indian motorcycle and continued riding motorcycles until the late 1980s. He enlisted in the US Army under the buddy plan and served two years in Germany.
On February 12, 1962 he married the former Silvana Salvatori at St. Andrew Church in Rock Falls. He began his working career with the former Chicago and Northwestern Railway in Nelson having worked on the B & B gang and the section gang leaving there after 10 years. In 1965, he then took on a job at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Co in Sterling in the Galvanizer Dept. Working indoors was not for him, and his love of the outdoors and trains, got him a position in the scrap yard at the Mill and he became a railroad switchman; a job he loved. A serious work accident at the Mill in 1974 nearly cost him his life and was off work for over a year. But he returned back to his switchman job at the Mill and worked until another serious accident in 1988 forced him to retire. For many years he worked as an IHSA official at football and basketball games with his "team" of Paul Timmons, John Sheppard, Paul Gallentine, Charlie Anderson and Glen Genz. He even umpired for a number of years little league games. He was a good carpenter, having built several homes and worked in helping to frame and build the funeral home during its construction in 1994.
He was always a supporter of his children's lives and dreams. From attending basketball games, passing out political fliers, making yard signs, to just being there as a dad…. He was always a fixture in and about his town of Nelson. He would walk several miles daily, picking wild asparagus, raspberries, black berries and of course discarded aluminum cans. Through his travels he collected a lot of stuff often thrown out along the highways of life…. He had a hideaway, a primitive roof over his head near Chetek, WI that he would get away to each summer to avoid the high humidity here in Northern Illinois. There he would fish and just be one with nature. He lived a simple life; always just blending in to the back ground never wanting to be in the lime light. He worked hard and provided for his children. He was a true role model and an inspiration on how to lead by example, never giving up despite the years of pain and suffering he endured as a result of his injuries. Yet never complained. He taught his children the need for deep faith in God, the value of a man's word and a man's name, hard work, grit with determination toward the goal and saving one pennies. He was a devoted and faithful member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rock Falls.
Survivors include his two daughters: Gina A. Murphy of Mukwonago, WI and Carla (Ronald) Griffin of Aurora, IL; his son, Joseph P. McDonald of Rock Falls; his four grandchildren: Taylor Murphy and Courtney Murphy both of Mukwonago, WI; Greer Griffin and Grayson Griffin of Aurora, IL; his brother, Robert (Cathy) McDonald of Rock Falls; his nephew Ryan (Jennifer) McDonald and his niece Heather (Kevin) Wolford; his uncle Robert McDonald of Rock Falls; his aunt Marilyn Genz; his cousins: Susan Cassens, Hilary Herbon, Tom Genz, Olivia Wade, Lee Genz, LeRoy Godshall, Kevin Godshall, Stephen Genz and Larry McDonald.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his uncles, Earl Genz, LeRoy Genz, Glen Genz, Warren Genz, Clayton "Fez" McDonald, Harold McDonald, and Raymond "Cy" McDonald; his aunts Gertrude Anderson and Catherine Hazel McDonald; his cousins Cindy Lasiter, Michael Genz and Kenny Godshall.
Visitation will be held on Sunday April 29, 2018 from 12 – 3 PM at the McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Avenue in Rock Falls. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Monday at 10 AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Rock Falls, with the Reverend Richard M. Russo, Pastor and the Reverend Richard Kramer co-officiating. Burial will conclude at Nelson Cemetery.
Memorials in his memory to Newman Central Catholic High School; St. Andrew Grade School and Church.
Our family, with heartfelt gratitude, wishes to acknowledge dad's dedicated friend Rick Moeller, for the timeless hours and visits he spent with dad; to Dr. Michael Galle and all the staff at the CGH Wound center for the many years of delicate care, compassion and understanding they had for dad. Dr Galle, you allowed our dad to live his life without intrusion or judgment and to allow his final days to be with dignity and peace; and to Rock River Hospice and Home for their outstanding
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