Melvin D. "Mac" McDowell, 85, a resident at The Village at Morrisons Cove, formerly of McKee, went home to be with the Lord Friday evening at the home.
He was born in Connellsville, son of the late Nelson and Jennie (Stillwagon) Prinkey; and was adopted by the late Elmer and Estella McDowell. He married Delores J. "Pinky" Emeigh on Jan. 23, 1951, in McKee.
He is survived by his wife of Martinsburg; five sons: Melvin C. McDowell and wife, Ellen, of Langhorne, Russell W. McDowell and wife, Sue, of Duncansville, C. James McDowell of Martinsburg, Daniel E. McDowell and wife, Robin, of Martinsburg and William D. McDowell and wife, Becky, of Saxton; three grandchildren: Jared, Colleen, and Ryan; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four brothers: Harold Prinkey, Arch Prinkey, Charlie Prinkey and Jay Prinkey; and an adopted sister, Roberta McDowell Solomon.
Mac was a member of New Life Alliance Church, East Freedom.
He retired from Appleton Papers, Roaring Spring, in 1989, after 35 years of service.
Melvin was a United States Marine Corps veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict.
He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, calling bingo, reading and electronics, and he enjoyed spending 20 years of his retirement at Lake Rousseau in Crystal Springs, Fla.
He was a 50-year member of the Murray-Appleman American Legion Post 147, Roaring Spring; and a member of the Woodbury Lodge 539, F&AM, Roaring Spring.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Todd T. Thompson Funeral Home Inc., Roaring Spring. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at New Life Alliance Church, East Freedom, by Pastor Ed Jelliff. Military honors will be conducted at the church by the Blair County Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be made at Alto-Reste Park, Altoona.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mac's memory may be given to Home Nursing Agency-Hospice, Alzheimer's Association, Gideon Memorial Bibles or the New Life Alliance Church.
