Delores E. McDonald Obituary (1921 - 2019)

Delores E. McDonald, 98, formerly of Pana, IL passed away on Friday, February 22, 2019 in Holland, Michigan. Delores resided in Holland, Michigan since October 2017 in a small group assisted living home facility, American House, to be close to family. Delores Eleanora Wagner McDonald was born on January 24, 1921, daughter of the late Guy E. Wagner and Grace Lewis Wagner, the eldest of two daughters. Delores met her husband Harry E. McDonald in January 1942 and they were married in August of 1942 in Bloomington, IL. They lived in Springfield for 6 years and moved to Pana, IL in 1948 where her husband went to work for Peabody Mine 17 as a Hoisting Engineer. Delores attended grade school at Petrolia, IL and graduated from Bridgeport Township in Bridgeport, IL. Following high school, she attended the University of Illinois where she majored in Home Economics. From the University of Illinois, she went to work at The Soldiers and Sailors Children School in Normal, IL. Delores went to work for the State of Illinois in Springfield as secretary and commuted from Pana to Springfield for 23 years. She is best known in Pana for her involvement in Republican Politics and was precinct 5 committeeman for 26 years. She also served as Vice Chairman for Christian County Republicans, coordinated for Federal, State, County, and Local Candidates, to name a few: Senator Everett Dirksen, Senator Barry Goldwater, Ray Page, and Republican Paul Finley. She worked for the State of Illinois until 1976 and then retired from Pana News Palladium in 1982. Delores was a member of The First United Methodist Church. She was also a gifted pianist and was still playing until recently. Delores had a great love for her family. She is survived by two daughters: Janice Kramer of Holland, Michigan and Cheryl (J.) Weaver of Muscatine, Iowa; one son, Kevin (Lori) McDonald of Tucson, Arizona; 9 grandchildren & 10 great grandchildren with one on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry E McDonald; a daughter, Barbara (Carl) Eybel; a son, Harry Patrick McDonald; a sister Virginia L. Campbell and brother-in-law, John T. Campbell. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Amanda Richards officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time in the funeral home. Burial will be in Rosemond Grove Cemetery. Memorials in Delores' honor may be made to the Pana Community Hospital Foundation.