Funeral services were held Saturday for Ellwood City native, Gene L. MacDonald, 85 of Zanesville, OH. He passed away on May 17, 2017 at Genesis Hospital in Zanesville.
The oldest of 10 children of Eugene A. and Isabell Means MacDonald, he was born on June 3, 1931. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949 and worked at National Tube while attending Westminster College, graduating in 1953 with a degree in journalism. He worked for the Ellwood City Ledger, New Caste News and Youngstown Vindicator and was active in Chamber of Commerce work in Clarion, Pottsville and Sharon before moving in 1966 to Zanesville where he was involved in various industrial development programs. He was a trustee for 36 years for Zane State College where a street is named for him. He served Immanuel Church on a local, regional and state level and was active in Mended Hearts because of his heart problems and was involved in numerous other organizations.
On July 14, 1951 he married the former Betty Lee Boots who survives, along with 3 daughters, a son, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Ellwood Area survivors include 3 brothers and a sister-in-law, Jack and Arlene MacDonald, Connie R. MacDonald and Lori Dunham and Merel and Kathy MacDonald; 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Blanche Novak and Joylee and Jerry McCaughtry and 4 sisters-in-law; Carol MacDonald, Susan Boots, Joyce Boots and in Wisconsin, Beth MacDonald. Also a special niece, Jan Supan in Florida.
Besides his parents, Gene was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Bob, Tom Jim and Terry MacDonald, 2 grandsons, Ryan Longstreth and Shayne MacDonald and a son-in-law, John Longstreth.
Memorial donations can be made to Ryan Longstreth Light the Hill, 534 Putnam Ave., Zanesville, OH 43701, Mended Hearts Chapter 51, 2035 Shady Lane, Zanesville, OH 43701, Zane State College, 1555 Newark Rd., Zamesville, OH 43701 or Immanuel Church, 105 South 7th St., Zanesville, OH 43701.
To send a note of condolence visit www.bolin-dierkesfuneralhome.com
Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Joseph A. Tomon, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory
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