Rollin Adair McDonald

Rollin Adair McDonald, 85, died Thursday morning at Butler Memorial Hospital. Born on his father's birthdate, August 2, 1924 at the McDonald homestead in Leatherwood, Clarion County, he was the son of Florence Mae Stewart McDonald and George “Byron” McDonald. At the age of 5, his family moved to Butler. In his youth, Mr. McDonald worked at the skating rinks owned by his father (Butler and Slippery Rock) and his uncle, Robert Roy McDonald at Twin Willows and East Brady. After his graduation from Butler High School in January 1943, he served as a Corporal in the 559th Anti-Aircraft Battalion during World War II in the European Theater. After the war, he worked for his father in the floor sanding business and later with his brother at McDonald's Plumbing and Heating. In the mid 1960's, he started his own business, Rollin McDonald Plumbing and Heating until his retirement. Mr. McDonald served in the Instructional Committee of the Harmony Lodge 429 of the Free and Accepted Masons in Zelienople and was a Past Master of the Miller Lodge in Butler. At First United Presbyterian Church in Butler, now St Andrews, he and his wife started the Young Married Couples Class and the Youth Class, later to become Class teacher. When he moved his family to Meridian, he helped start the Young Married Couples and Youth classes at Meridian United Presbyterian Church where he was a Class teacher and then became a Deacon. In life, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, golf and bowling. Mr. McDonald was an original member of the Butler Bowhunters Association. Over the years, he was a member of the Butler Hunting and Fishing Club and Oneida Bowhunters. Besides hunting, he also competed in several archery tournaments and enjojed hunting with family and friends in Forest and Potter Counties. He was a member of the Seniors Golf League at Stoughton's Golf Club. He always was willing to relate family stories and accompany his daughter to research family genealogy in Clarion and Armstong Counties. Rollin was a Life Member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion, as well as a past member of the Meridian Vets. Mr. McDonald is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bonnie Eleanor Brown McDonald, married March 15, 1947 at what is now St Andrews Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his brother, Robert Williams McDonald and sister-in-law, Ruby Brown Rickard; his surviving children, Cheryl Bonnie McDonald of Clearwater, Fl; Byron Zane McDonald and wife, Sharon Zapp of Manchester, TN; Ross LeRoy McDonald and his wife, Jie Li of Midlothian, Va; and Dawn Eleene McDonald Satterwhite and her husband, Martin Satterwhite of Snohomish, WA. His grandchildren are Chistopher A. McDonald and wife, Joyce of Slippery Rock; David McDonald and Heather of Collier, WV; twins, Adam John McDonald and Benjamin Adair McDonald of Manchester, TN; Emily McDonald of Richmond, VA; and Amy McDonald of Midlothian, VA; four great-grandchildren, Cheyanne, Elliot, Jerad and Alyss; and 28 nieces and nephews. Mr McDonald was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen, Geraldine, Charlotte and brother, Jack. Friends will be received at Young Funeral Home, Ltd., 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 2-4 & 6 until time of service at 8 PM with Rev. Curtis McDaniel officiating. Private burial. Masonic Lodge 429 service on Tuesday at 5:45 PM

Rollin Adair McDonald

August 2, 1924 - April 15, 2010