Joe Darrell McDonald

JOE DARRELL MCDONALD, son of Edwin and Maxine McDonald, was born January 19, 1935 in Springfield Missouri and entered his heavenly home on March 10, 2026, at age ninety-one years.

Joe was raised in Springfield and graduated from Central High School in 1953. He went on to attend Southwest Missouri State University where he studied music and accounting.

On August 24, 1958, Joe married Betty Sue Crain and enjoyed 67 years together. To this union was born three children, Joni, Lesli and Kari. Joe was blessed with seven grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Joe served in the Army Reserves and started McDonald Accounting and Tax Service, in Springfield, which he owned and operated with his wife Sue for 50 years.

Gospel music was always a part of Joe's life. He directed the music and played the organ at East Avenue Baptist Church for several years. His greatest love was directing the Maranatha Singers, a youth choir that sang and traveled to various states to perform in venues ranging from churches, parks and even on the Capitol steps in Washington D.C.

Joe made a profession in faith in Christ early in life. At the time of his passing, Joe was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

Joe enjoyed several hobbies including restoring and selling antique lamps, with many of his restored lamps being placed in Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, MO. He also enjoyed lawn and garden work, especially raising roses, boating, working around his lake home and reading. Joe was never without his Coca-Cola.

Joe and Sue served as presenters for Marriage Encounter and served on the Board of Directors for over 25 years.

Joe is survived by his wife, Sue; sister Angie Claspil and her husband Robert; three daughters, Joni Burgess and her husband Mike, Lesli Reid and her husband David, and Kari Scott and her husband Ken; seven grandchildren, Courtney Starnes and her husband Clint, Cullen Reid and his wife Britlyn, Kelsey Rummel and her husband Bradley, Kellen Burgess and his wife Hannah, Bailey Morris and her husband Daniel, Kenley Borths and her husband Dillon, and Morgan McQuerry and her husband Micah; 17 great-grandchildren, Hayden, Hudson and Harper Starnes; Anna, Isaac, Joe and Mac Reid; Crosby, Truman, Foster and Lenora Morris; Lincoln and Theo McQuerry; Aria Borths; Raelyn Rummel; Emma and Chandler Burgess.

Joe will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AG Marriage Encounter; PO Box 8 New Baltimore, MI 48047 or AGME.org