Urban A. McDonald

Urban A. McDonald Battle Creek Urban Arwin McDonald, 79, of Battle Creek, passed away August 13, 2008 at home with his family present. He was born August 20, 1928, the son of Tinsel Urban and Ruth (Truex) McDonald in Laurelville, Ohio. The family moved to Battle Creek when Urban was an infant and he lived here the rest of his life. Urban attended Level Park Elementary and W. K. Kellogg School at Gull Lake. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre from 1945 until 1947. When he returned to Battle Creek he worked at Post Cereals for 38 years, retiring in 1986 when his health forced early retirement. Urban married the former Ilene Olmstead on January 1, 1949. Ilene survives. He is also survived by his son, Steven (Kathryn) McDonald of Brighton; daughters, Debra (Robert) Gibson of Greenville, South Carolina, Denise (Robert) Stafford of Battle Creek; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brother, Harold (Geneva) McDonald of Battle Creek; sister, Thelma DeGroot of Bellevue and his cousin-like-a-sister, Jane Nickerson of Vestaberg; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Urban and Ilene enjoyed many winters in Sarasota, and Bradenton, Florida. He attended the Level Park Community Church in Battle Creek and was a member of the Calvary Methodist Church in Sarasota where he served on the board, ushered and spent many hours making The Lord's house beautiful; he was a member of the Moose Lodge #6706 in Marshall and the Post 25-Year Club. He enjoyed his church, gardening, mushrooming, the beaches and surf fishing in Florida and playing cards. Urban loved the time he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2008 at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens Chapel where funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. John Robert Gibson, officiating. Memorial donations may go to the Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek Health System. The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home. www.shawfuneralhome.com