Obituary of Erwin McCarthy

Erwin L. McCarthy "Mac" Born December 23, 1927, died April 25, 2015, at Joliet Area Community Hospice Home. Preceded in death by his parents Erwin and Elizabeth (Pershey) and his sister Betty and brother-in-law Bill Donnelly. Survived by his best friend and wife of 66 years, Dorothy, nee Wendland Also survived by 6 children, Eileen (Art) Hostert, Tim (Lark) McCarthy, Peggy (Bill) McCarberg, Babs (Myron) Lye, Pat (Denise) McCarthy, and Sheila (Norm) Russum. Survived as well by 7 grandchildren, Keith McCarthy, Amy Zimmerman, Eric Hostert, Katy Kolasinski, Andy Yeager, Matt McCarthy, and Mark McCarthy. Also survived by 6 great grandchildren, Korey and Jessica McCarthy, Hope and Cameron Zimmerman, Ollie Hostert and Drew Yeager; and lastly by Kinleigh McCarthy, the only great great grandchild of Dorothy and Mac. Mac was a US Army veteran, serving shortly after the end of WW II. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Church, Joliet, graduating grade school there, and was a graduate of Joliet Catholic High School. Mac was employed by Formax Inc. of Mokena for 25 years as a buyer. Mac was a proud and active member of the Pershey family, attending innumerable family reunions throughout his 87 years. He and Dorothy were avid travelers, visiting over 13 countries. They also visited the majority of U.S. states, many of them in a motor home, sharing the adventures with his late friend, cousin, and business partner, Dennis Schneider and his wife Carmen. Many Friday and Saturday nights were spent raucously playing cards with long time friends, and now neighbors, Bruce and Geri Baxter. Mac loved family gatherings, friends, cooking out, music, beer, and a good time. He took up running in his 50's, after a heart attack, and continued running into his 70's, even after heart bypass surgery in 1988. He was very proud of his bike ride across Illinois with a couple of his daughters when in his late 50's, although it proved challenging to his children! He played a large part in all of his grandchildren's lives, helping, along with Dorothy, in any way possible at all times. He lived long enough to see his oldest grandson become a grandfather - no small feat! Mac will be sorely missed by all, most of all by Dorothy. As Mac said, "I love her madly," and as she said "When we met, my friends in Arkansas couldn't believe I had such a handsome man in uniform seeing me, especially a Yankee!" They truly epitomized living up to the promise of remaining devoted to each other "through good times and bad, in sickness and in health." May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Many thanks from the family to the staff of Joliet Area Community Hospice Home for their loving and compassionate care. Funeral services for Mac McCarthy will be Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essingon Rds., Joliet. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Joliet. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Mac's name to Joliet Area Community Hospice Home, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431. Visitation Tuesday Morning From 9:00 a.m. until time of services. For more information, call 815-741-5500 or visit his Book of Memories at www.fredcdames.com.