Marvin McDonald, Jr., 82 years old of Great Falls, passed away December 13, 2014 of natural causes. A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held Friday, December 19th at 2:00pm in the Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Antonich officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at Highland Cemetery.

Marvin was born August 30, 1932 in Chicago, IL, but was raised in Great Falls. In 1959 he wed the love of his life, Edith Buerster. The two were blessed with 51 years of marriage before her passing in 2010. Together they raised two children, a son and a daughter.

Marvin graduated from Great Falls High in 1950 and was inducted into the army just two years later. He served on active duty for one year, ten months, and four days during the Korean War. In this time he earned the Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, as well as several other commendations. He was honorably discharged as an E6 Sergeant and served an additional eight years in the Army Reserves. Upon his release from the military, he spent a short time working for Burlington Northern Railroad before becoming a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. While working full time at the USPS, he also worked part-time at the city Sheriff’s Department. Marvin retired in 1989 after 30 years of weathering wind, rain, sleet and snow.

In his free time, Marvin enjoyed tending his beautiful yard, operating his Ham radio, watching boxing and other televised sports (especially the Chicago Cubs!), and bowling for many years. He was also a jack of all trades and a master of many. In his younger days he was an avid fisherman and hunter, frequent camper, and loved to take road trips. He was known for “shooting the moon” in pinochle, playing pool and shooting darts. He was also a coach for Riverside Little League.

Survivors include his daughter, Gayle (Doug) Gonzales and son, Brian McDonald, both of Great Falls; sisters, Colleen (Mike) Doran of Great Falls, and Carol Young of Loveland, CO; brother, Bernie McDonald of Great Falls; as well as six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three nephews.

Those who have preceded him in death include his wife, Edith McDonald; parents, Marvin McDonald Sr. and Margaret (Miller) McDonald; as well as his granddaughter, Kayla Rose McDonald.

Memorial donations are encouraged to any Veteran’s association of the donor’s choice.

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