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Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
McDonald, Edward John
Edward John McDonald was born February 14, 1960, in the Marengo Hospital, and lived his childhood in and around North English and Williamsburg. He is the son of Charles (Wade) and Marie Elizabeth (Zuber) McDonald, and brother to four brothers and two sisters. Upon graduating from English Valleys High School, he attended Kirkwood College briefly, and then became employed at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He lived in Iowa City for several years. When he was 25, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He battled with the disease until he succumbed 25 years later.
Ed was known for his strong character. He had a fine, innate ability as a draftsman and a painter, and had a lifelong passion for chess, founding a chess club in his high school and winning all tournaments. Ed was a voracious reader, and loved history, philosophy and music. He had a strong, refined sense of humor, and relished every bit of a joke. His struggle with MS earned him much respect for his courage. He was good company.
Ed died on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2010, at the Marengo Memorial Hospital, Marengo, at the age of 50.
He is survived by four brothers: Charles (Kay) McDonald of Marion, Dan (Donna) McDonald of South Amana, David (Mary) McDonald of Cedar Rapids, and Ben (Cindy) McDonald of Lutz, Fla.; and two sisters: Mary (Peter) Taft of Iowa City and Elizabeth (Rassoul) Ketabian of Carlsbad, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He also leaves behind a family of caregivers. Ed resided in Lone Tree Care Center for over seven years, where he was given great and dedicated care. In his last three years spent in the Marengo Memorial Hospital he received exemplary care, for which his family will be forever grateful.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Williamsburg. Father Joseph Roost will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery, rural Millersburg. Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until service time at Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg.
A memorial fund has been established for the Marengo Memorial Hospital.
Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.
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