NORFOLK – Memorial service for Michael E. McDonald, 72, Norfolk, will be Oct. 16, at 10:30 a.m., at Stonacek Funeral Chapel, Norfolk. Officiating the services will be Pastor Brian High. The service will also be live-streamed on the Stonacek Funeral Chapel website at https://www. stonacekfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/ michael-mcdonald-27/#!/PhotosVideos.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the services.

Inurnment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Norfolk. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 16, V.F.W. Post 1644, American Legion Riders, and the United States Air Force.

Mike died Sept. 20, 2025, with Betty Morrison at his side, at their residence in Norfolk after losing his long-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

Stonacek Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Mike was born Jan. 19, 1953, to Avery “Mike” and Geraldine (Jones) McDonald in Norfolk. He grew up in Randolph and was confirmed May 14, 1967, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Randolph. He attended grade school and high school in Randolph. Mike’s family moved to Norfolk prior to his senior year and he graduated in 1971 from Norfolk Senior High School.

After high school Mike joined the United States Air Force, stationed with the Army and served for 24 years. He served in Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq or OIF. He also had tours in Bosnia and Korea, and three tours in Desert Storm/Shield and logged over 800 jumps. During his career in the service Mike was awarded many accommodations and distinguished awards including, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), AF Commendation Medal with three OLC, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation with one OLC, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and six OLC, AF Organizational Excellence Award with one OLC, Combat Readiness Medal with one OLC, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars (BSS), Southwest Asia Service Medal with two BSS, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with one BSS, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, AF Overseas Ribbon-Short with five OLC, USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one OLC, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one OLC, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Kuwait Liberation Medal, AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one Silver OLC, AF Good Conduct Medal with one Silver and two Bronze OLC’s, AF Training Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Service Star. Mike retired as Master Sergeant with also four years of inactive duty.

Mike belonged to the LA Société Des 40 Hommes ET8 Cheraux, (Forty & Eight), VFW Post 1644, and the American Legion Post 16.

After Mike’s honorable discharge in 1995, he moved to Norfolk, where he served his country proudly and continued to keep the country moving as an overthe- road truck driver for Sunflower/Shaffer/Crete Trucking, York, and Signor Trucking, Norfolk. He drove a million miles all over the U.S. and four providences of Canada during his trucking career of 25 years before retiring. Being an OTR trucker, he knew where all the good Mom & Pop cafés were located and loved to eat and try out other foods.

Mike will be remembered for his kindness and ability to strike up a conversation anytime with anyone. He had a heart of gold and never said “No” when someone was in need. Mike loved to read in his spare time.

Mike is survived by his son, Shawn McDonald, Carrollton, Texas; significant other, Betty Morrison, Norfolk; two step sons, Tim (Shannon) Morrison, Atkinson, and his sons, Wyatt and Keagan, Kearney; Jo-E (Jenny) Morrison, Angleton, Texas, and their daughters, Jo-C and Ainsley; brother, Orville McDonald; several nieces and nephews, and a wide circle of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Avery “Mike” and Geraldine McDonald; sister, Frances; brothers, Robert, Richard and Roger.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family forlater designation.