Charles Edward McDonald

Charles Edward "Mac" McDonald, 88, of 3225 6th Ave. S., died of complications from pneumonia Monday at a local hospital.
Funeral Liturgy is 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2800 Central Ave. Schnider Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
He was born at home on April 12, 1920, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Charles Henry and Mary Eleanor McDonald. He was proud to be the big brother to two sisters, Frances and Patricia. He graduated from Hughes High School in Cincinnati, and after working for Marsh Photography Studio, he joined the Air Force from 1941 to 1945. While in the Air Force, his duties brought him to the Panama Canal, Trinidad and Wright Patterson, Ohio, where he was chief of Troop Operations.
During this time, he married "Sunny" for a brief time, and they had a son, Ronald. After his discharge from the Air Force, his next adventure brought him to Minneapolis, Minn., where he married Madeleine Cross, and they had three sons, Michael, Mark and Kevin. He later met and married "the love of his life," Dorothy "Dodi," on Dec. 31, 1952. They had a daughter, Mary Frances "Mimi," and were married for 48 years until Dodi's passing on Dec. 20, 2000.
In March 1963, after having worked in Minneapolis at the Waterbury Co. and Riviera Import Cars, God called Mac, Dodi and Mimi to Great Falls, Mont., after Dodi's sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Al Robinson, died in a car accident. Mac and Dodi lovingly chose to raise their niece, Betsy, and nephews Doug, Reed Ted and Ross. Life was full of adventure as the "Mac-Robinsons!" During these years, Mac worked for Buttrey Department Store and in 1978 retired as photographer and graphic artist from the Montana Deaconess Hospital, where he had the opportunity to photograph the first Mercy Flight and heart catheterization.
Later that year, Mac and Dodi began yet another adventure by moving to Spokane, Wash., where they began "New Friends," a friendship/dating club. Many special friendships were created. In 1993, Mac and Dodi returned to Great Falls to be near their daughter, son-in-law and grandsons, Mimi, Dennis, Mark and Scott, and now great-grandsons, Torin and Grant. They shared so many precious times together. Each occasion was enthusiastically photographed by Mac. "1-2-3-Bingo!"
Mac lived life to the fullest and recently summarized, "What a life!" He loved life and people, particularly his family, of whom he was so proud. He especially loved being Grandpa Mac.
Mac was fascinated by history and the fact that one of his ancestors was part of the Dalton gang. He was interested in the stock market and "discussing" politics. He was intrigued by science and technology, especially computers, and enjoyed e-mailing daily, especially his special granddaughter, Stacey. After Dodi passed away eight years ago, he married Caryol until they amicably parted in October 2007. Together they adopted his little dog, Sara, with whom he watched movies nearly every night.
Mac was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away.
We will lovingly remember our precious Mac forever with a camera in his hand, a smile on his face, a joke to be told, and tremendous love in his heart.
Survivors include his daughter Mimi Mathson of Great Falls; sons Ron McDonald of Amelia, Ohio, Michael McDonald of Vero Beach, Fla., and Mark Dobbelmann of Eagan, Minn.; sister Patricia Strickland of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Dodi, he was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Dobbelmann.
Memorials are suggested in his name to Holy Spirit Catholic School, 2820 Central Ave., Great Falls, MT 59405.
Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.