Obituary of Delbert McDonald

Delbert F. âPudgeâ McDonald, 77, of Nicholson Loop, Morgantown, passed away Friday, January 8, 2010 at Ruby Memorial Hospital surrounded by family and friends.He was born in Morgantown on August 26, 1932, a son of the late Brooks McDonald and the late Ida (Murray) McDonald.Delbert was in the US Army during the Korean Conflict serving in Germany, as well as many other European countries, as a member of the 382nd Military Police Battalion. Following his military service, he worked for many years in the construction business as a heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed spending time with his family, including his many grandchildren, friends, and his dogs. He took pride in his home and yard, and spent many weekends doing âimprovements.â He was a history buff and an avid reader of Western books. He loved going for long drives and telling stories of his past.He is survived by his five children, including two sons, David McDonald and companion Kim Beal, and Richard and Barbara McDonald and three daughters, Pamela and Marcus Wilson, Brenda and Tim Brooks and Kristina Bennett and former son-in-law Jim Bennett. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law and spouses, which he and his wife raised after the death of their parents, Wanda and Charles Hawk, Karen and Sam Gillum, and Vickie and Tom Howdershelt as well as another sister-in-law Alice Murphy. He was very proud of his 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his brother, Dale âThoolâ McDonald, and several dear nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marlene Murphy McDonald on June 12, 2009 a son, Kenneth McDonald a granddaughter, Heather McDonald two sisters, Edith Dalton and Shirley Minton two sisters-in-law, Doris Kerns and Marion McDonald and a brother-in-law, Gary Murphy.The family will receive friends at Nicholson Chapel Church, Summers School rd., Morgantown beginning at 2 PM Monday, January 11, 2010. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday afternoon at the church with Rev. Craig L. Falkenstine officiating. Interment will follow in Nicholson Chapel Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded at the graveside.Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown is in charge of the arrangements.