Gary Edal MacDonald

Gary Edal MacDonald 86, Rochester, Indiana, passed at 3:22 P.M. Wednesday July 21, 2021, at his residence.

He was born on June 11, 1935 in Millinocket, Maine, the son of George and Martha Ruth (Grantham) MacDonald. On December 19, 1956 in Greensboro, North Carolina, he married Annie Laura Harris and she survives. Gary and Laura only dated for a few weeks and were married- at the urging of some friends. They have been blessed with a marriage full of love and family and celebrated their 64th anniversary last December.

Gary was a minister for most of his life and preached at many Churches of Christ- as a full time minister as well as filling in when needed. Fellowship and inviting others into their home was a way of life in the MacDonald house. Almost every Sunday would find a family or someone coming over for a meal and visiting. One of Gary’s missions was to “give” to others- even if it meant he was taken advantage of.

“My job is to be generous and give- what the person chooses to do with the gift is between them and God”- Gary MacDonald

Gary also traveled all over the United States due to a printing business where he would sell, buy and trade printing equipment. He also owned his own printing company in Mentone, Indiana for a number of years. He loved working with his hands and was always tinkering with something and enjoyed antiques.

While they lived several different places they settled in Tippecanoe, Indiana, for many years and then moved to Plymouth, Indiana, where Gary took a preaching job at a Church of Christ. They eventually moved to Houlton, Maine (where Gary was born and raised) in 1995 to revive the Church and worked diligently for several years to build and bring others into the family of Christ. After many years, they made the move back to Indiana and settled in Paoli where they had close ties with family and the church that they used to attend many years prior.

In January, 2021, due to health concerns, they relocated to Rochester, Indiana to be closer to their daughters for continued assistance and care.

Gary has been a source of steadfast love and commitment to his family and was just as much of a kid at heart as children when it came to spit ball fights, paper wad fights and just acting silly.

“God’s plan works, but it’s up to us to work God’s plan” – Gary MacDonald.

Survivors include his wife, Annie Laura MacDonald, Rochester, Indiana, daughters, Lisa (Ken) Hooley, Tippecanoe, Indiana, Laurie (Ray) Hedington, Rochester, Indiana, grandchildren, Jonathan (Angela) Buzbee, Maine, Naomi (Joe) McKinley, Indiana, Mary Moore, Maine, Joshua (Jamie) Hooley, Iowa, Amber (Kevin) Belisle, Ohio, Aric (Melody) Hooley, Indiana, Nathan (Brittany) Hooley, Indiana, Seth (Samantha) MacDonald, Indiana, Sara (Luis) Ramos, Texas, Rachael (Howard) Ray, New Hampshire, Jessica MacDonald, Texas, Brant (Gentry) Hedington, Indiana, Cameron (Maranda) Hedington, Indiana, thirty great grandchildren, sister, Mary (Jack) Hilton, Hockley, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Michael Gary MacDonald in 1987, daughter, Billie Jo Buzbee in 2010, grandson, Shelton Carpenter in 2021, four brothers and one sister.

A Celebration of Life will take place on August 21, 2021 between 4:00 – 5:00 P.M. at the Rochester Church of Christ, 120 E. 5th Street, Rochester, Indiana 46975. Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com

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