Mac McCurdy
November 17, 1928 ~ April 21, 2008
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Lionel A. “Mac” McCurdy, 79, of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, April 21, 2008 at the Selby Good Samaritan Center.
Visitation was held from 1:00–7:00p.m., Tuesday, April 22, at the Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 10:00a.m., Wednesday at the Masonic Temple, Gettysburg. Burial was at 2:30p.m., MDT, Wednesday at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD.
Mac was born on November 17, 1928 on the family farm near Fullerton, Nebraska. He was the youngest of six children born to Arthur and Blanche (Goodman) McCurdy. Mac attended country school near Fullerton and high school in St. Edward, Nebraska. During his younger years, Mac was a bell hop in Washington, D.C., Kansas City, MO, and Omaha, NE, always taking pride in waiting on President Harry Truman and Abbott and Costello. On November 23, 1948 Mac enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving four years during the Korean War as a radar technician. He was honorably discharged on September 20, 1952.
On May 20, 1954, Mac married Elizabeth Oldcrog. Together they raised four boys: Michael, Patrick, Timothy and Lindsay. Mac worked for Plectron Corporation for 10 years before moving to Tulsa, OK. He then went to work for Lorance for four years before returning to Lexington, NE. Upon their return Mac and Betty owned and operated Mac’s Sportsman “the boat shop” at Johnson’s Lake. Mac also worked as a traveling salesman from 1974 to 1994 for Michael Todd and Associates traveling North and South Dakota, Montana and Idaho. He would call on municipal, county, state and federal road agencies.
Mac retired on a small farm northwest of Gettysburg, SD. Mac was a member of the Masons, Tangier Shriners and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and tending to his large vegetable garden. Over the years, he had hosted many a hunter or fisherman on the farm. In addition, his grandchildren enjoyed staying on the farm, playing in the hay and helping can dill pickles.
Mac is survived by his two siblings: Bernelda (Billy) Lewis and Darleen Henninger; four sons: Michael (Janet) of Ft. Collins, CO, Patrick (Naomi) of Cozad, NE, Timothy (Gease) of Cheyenne, WY and Lindsey of Gettysburg, SD; two grandsons: Christopher (2) and Timothy; seven granddaughters: Shannon (4), Kelly (4), Cathy (2) (2), Megan, Katherine (3), Deonna (2), and Alisha; 17 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Mac is also survived by two people having an important impact in his life: Jeanine McClure and Carl Wilson both of Gettysburg.
Mac was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; two sisters: Marian Ratcliffe and Eloise Nichols and one brother, Marvin.
The family has asked that all memorials be forwarded to Compassionate Care Hospice of Gettysburg, 5200 S Cliff Ave Suite 103, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
Casketbearers will be Rusty Pearman, Dan Thomas, Christopher McCurdy, Ron Tanner, Bruce Tieg and Dave Dozak.
Honorary Casketbearers will be his grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, Gwen McClure and Joe & Kaitlyn Martin.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was entrusted with his arrangements.
Visitation was held from 1:00–7:00p.m., Tuesday, April 22, at the Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at the funeral home. Funeral services were held at 10:00a.m., Wednesday at the Masonic Temple, Gettysburg. Burial was at 2:30p.m., MDT, Wednesday at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD.
Mac was born on November 17, 1928 on the family farm near Fullerton, Nebraska. He was the youngest of six children born to Arthur and Blanche (Goodman) McCurdy. Mac attended country school near Fullerton and high school in St. Edward, Nebraska. During his younger years, Mac was a bell hop in Washington, D.C., Kansas City, MO, and Omaha, NE, always taking pride in waiting on President Harry Truman and Abbott and Costello. On November 23, 1948 Mac enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving four years during the Korean War as a radar technician. He was honorably discharged on September 20, 1952.
On May 20, 1954, Mac married Elizabeth Oldcrog. Together they raised four boys: Michael, Patrick, Timothy and Lindsay. Mac worked for Plectron Corporation for 10 years before moving to Tulsa, OK. He then went to work for Lorance for four years before returning to Lexington, NE. Upon their return Mac and Betty owned and operated Mac’s Sportsman “the boat shop” at Johnson’s Lake. Mac also worked as a traveling salesman from 1974 to 1994 for Michael Todd and Associates traveling North and South Dakota, Montana and Idaho. He would call on municipal, county, state and federal road agencies.
Mac retired on a small farm northwest of Gettysburg, SD. Mac was a member of the Masons, Tangier Shriners and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and tending to his large vegetable garden. Over the years, he had hosted many a hunter or fisherman on the farm. In addition, his grandchildren enjoyed staying on the farm, playing in the hay and helping can dill pickles.
Mac is survived by his two siblings: Bernelda (Billy) Lewis and Darleen Henninger; four sons: Michael (Janet) of Ft. Collins, CO, Patrick (Naomi) of Cozad, NE, Timothy (Gease) of Cheyenne, WY and Lindsey of Gettysburg, SD; two grandsons: Christopher (2) and Timothy; seven granddaughters: Shannon (4), Kelly (4), Cathy (2) (2), Megan, Katherine (3), Deonna (2), and Alisha; 17 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. Mac is also survived by two people having an important impact in his life: Jeanine McClure and Carl Wilson both of Gettysburg.
Mac was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents; two sisters: Marian Ratcliffe and Eloise Nichols and one brother, Marvin.
The family has asked that all memorials be forwarded to Compassionate Care Hospice of Gettysburg, 5200 S Cliff Ave Suite 103, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
Casketbearers will be Rusty Pearman, Dan Thomas, Christopher McCurdy, Ron Tanner, Bruce Tieg and Dave Dozak.
Honorary Casketbearers will be his grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, Gwen McClure and Joe & Kaitlyn Martin.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was entrusted with his arrangements.
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Even though we only communicated by phone now, I can still see Uncle Lionel in his garden and chasing turkeys last time we visited the farm. He let me drive the 4 wheeler, right into the doghouse, and Bob got to drive the tractor.
He was so good hearted, helping anyone that asked. He will be missed, only now he is out of pain, resting in a better place.
I met Mac 12 yrs ago when I lived in Gettysburg.What a character-he was a great guy and quite a story teller as I remember him.
He always made me feel so welcome and I will always remeber that about Mac. My sympathy to his family. Dave Paulson ClarkSD
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. Mac was a great guy. Take Care and remember the good times and his many jokes and come backs.
Judy and Woody Grabinski
So long old friend.
It was a great pleasure to know Mac.
Wayne Fletcher
City of Brandon, SD
We always enjoyed visiting with Mac. He was always jolly and upbeat. Always looked to see if he was working in his yard or garden whenever we passed his country home.
We have lost a great friend and sportsman. I met Mac over twenty years ago. We had a lot of good times at the farm, gardening, playing cards and telling stories.
He will be greatly missed by a lot of people.
To the family…I am sorry for your loss. He was a great big brother to me.
Goodbye Grandpa….I will always remember you whistling your favorite tune while you garden and asking me “What’s the beef?” You will be missed and I love you.