Services
Obituary
Joseph McDonald, 76, passed away Friday, April 11, 2025 at MercyOne Hospital in Mason City.
Memorial services for Joseph McDonald will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Clarion First Methodist Church, 201 3rd Avenue North East in Clarion, with Pastor Craig Luttrell officiating.
Memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street in Kanawha.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family and shared with some of Joe’s favorite charities.
Joseph Mark McDonald, the son of Wilber and Mary (Pemberton) McDonald, was born on December 24, 1948 in Eldora, Iowa. He grew up in Clemons, Iowa and graduated from Union-Whitten High School with the class of 1967.
Joe continued his education at Ellsworth Community College before earning a degree in Business from Kearney University in Nebraska.
He was united in marriage to Joyce Brekke on March 28, 1970 in Union, Iowa. To this union, two daughters were born Jennifer and Amy. The couple moved to Kanawha, Iowa in 1978 where they raised their family.
Joe began his professional career working for Doboy Feeds, United Suppliers, and Miller Chemical Company where he covered the North Iowa and Southern Minnesota region, specializing in animal health products. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to pursue his passion for agriculture by starting his own pork production business. Even after stepping away from full-time work, Joe wasn’t one to sit still—he continued contributing as a seasonal semi-truck driver for Van Diest Supply Company in Webster City.
Outside of work, Joe had a deep love for the outdoors. He was an avid coon hunter and enjoyed all types of hunting and fishing. He also had a knack for restoring old tractors and trailers. Joe treasured his daily driving around out in the country and town, always making time to visit with friends and catch up on life. Above all else, he was devoted to his family and lived each day with love, faith, and laughter.
Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years Joyce McDonald of Kanawha; daughter Jennifer (Greg) Ellis of Polk City and children Seth and Ciara Perry; daughter Amy (Chris) Yockey of Holstein and children Nathan and Hannah; honorary daughter Iryna (Cody) Johnson of Forest City and children Sasha and Evonna; brothers Willard (Terri) McDonald and Duane (Vickie) McDonald; sister-in-law Cindy McDonald; half-sister Irma Haywood; along with many nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, brothers Dwight McDonald niece Jessica McDonald, nephew Troy McDonald and four half-brothers.