Mark J. Mcalpine

Mark "Mac" McAlpine, age 60, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2011, at Sanford Hospital in Sheldon. A Celebration of Mark's life will be Saturday, November 5, 2011, from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Eagle's Club in Sheldon. Mark's body was cremated. Mark "Mac" Joseph McAlpine was born on August 18, 1951 in Sheldon, Iowa. He was the son of Eugene and Ruth (Christopher) McAlpine. He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School and Sheldon High School. He enlisted into the U.S. Navy at age 17, where he received his G.E.D., was an aircraft mechanic, attained the rank of E-3, was honored with the National Defense Service Metal, the Vietnam Service Metal and was honorably discharged after serving one tour of duty. Mark started dating Linda after returning from Leadville, Colorado where he worked in the coal mines. They traveled together and Mark worked construction in many different places including, Burlington, Kansas where he worked at the Nuclear Power Plant and Parachute, Colorado where he worked for the Exxon Shell Company. They moved to Charlotte, Michigan and Mark worked for Harley Davidson as a mechanic. He later worked for Younglove Construction, out of Sioux City, Iowa, in many states. Mark and Linda were married on August 22, 1992 in Sheldon where they continued to live. Mark enjoyed riding his Harley, catching catfish at Granite Falls, Minnesota, with his friends, picking asparagus, and watching John Wayne movies. Mark and Linda enjoyed many good times with the residents from Village Northwest Unlimited and giving rides to the residents on his motorcycle. Mark will be remembered as a very giving person and a loving husband, who enjoyed life. He was very protective of his family and friends. He loved his dogs, Porky, his white lab, and Orphan, his 57 pup. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Sheldon. Mark passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2011, at Sanford Hospital in Sheldon. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife: Linda McAlpine of Sheldon, IA; his mother-in-law: Caroleen DeYoung of Sheldon, IA; his father-in-law: Glen DeYoung of Sierra Vista, AZ; 2 brothers: John and Marlene McAlpine of Larabee, IA, Matthew and Michelle McAlpine of Fuquay-Varina, NC; one sister: Mary and Ralph Rockers of Garnett, KS; 2 sisters-in-law: Gail and Doug Martin of Sheldon, IA, Karen and Bruce Subbert of Stanton, IA; many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.