This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: McDONALD, BRISBOIS, VAN DER MEULEN, MURPHY Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/hFC.2ACI/842 Message Board Post: Wednesday, September 11, 1946. Stricken at Wheel of Car, 'Ranny' McDonald Dies of Heart Attack Ranald J. McDonald, 69, of 1006 Sixth avenue and a resident of Eau Claire most of his life, died shortly before noon today of a heart attack. He was stricken in his car while driving towards Mondovi on Highway 37 shortly before 11 o'clock this morning and was three miles north of that city at the time. Although he was apparently dead when the Eau Claire police ambulance arrived, he was hurried to Luther Hospital. Oxygen was administered on the trip but on arrival at the hospital be was pronounced dead. Mr. McDonald was alone in the car at the time. Connected with the auction service department of the Eau Claire Citizens Loan, he was on his way to a farm auction sale near Mondovi when one of his tires went flat. Bert Horan, who is also with the Eau Claire Citizens Loan and who was on his way to appraise some cattle on another farm nearby, and who was accompanied by Romy Christopherson, a farmer, came upon McDonald as he was starting to change the tire. Mr. McDonald had jacked up the car, Horan said, and Christopherson and he stopped and changed the tire for him. Noting that the spare apparently was not in the best of shape, Mr. McDonald, Horan said, told them he was going to drive into town and have it fixed, and asked them if they would drive behind him and watch the tire. If they noted that the tire was going down he instructed Horan to sound his horn, and he would stop. Mr. McDonald started off slowly, Horan said, and he drove along behind him. When he saw the tire begin to flatten out after going a short distance, he honked his horn, Horan said, and it was then that he noticed the McDonald car begin to zigzag from one aide of the road to the other. Next he saw the driver slump over the wheel, and the car go off the side of the road into the ditch. Christopherson and he ran to the car, he said, but Mr. McDonald was apparently dead. While Christopherson remained with the stricken man, Horan ran to the nearest farm house and telephoned for the police ambulance. By this time two other members of the Citizens Loan organization, Robert Olson and Orland Peterson, both also on their way to the same auction for which Mr. McDonald was headed, came along in their car, and noting the car in the ditch, stopped. They remained with Horan and Christopherson until the ambulance arrived. Born in Town of Brunswick Ranald J. McDonald was born and reared in the town of Brunswick, and since early in life had lived in Eau Claire since. He is survived by his widow, who was Anne Brisbois, four sons, the Rev. Ambrose J. McDonald, of Ridgeway, Francis McDonald, of San Francisco, Ralph McDonald, of Stockton, Calif., John McDonald, of Chicago, a daughter, Mrs. Peter Van Der Meulen, of San, Francisco, five brothers, Donald J. McDonald, of Eau Claire, H. P. McDonald, of Altoona, Angus A. McDonald, of Fargo, N. D., Alexander P. McDonald, of Minneapolis, and Roderick J. McDonald, of Green Bay, and a sister, Sister M. Marguerite, 0. S. B., of Robbinsdale, Minn. Another brother, Allen J. McDonald, of this city, died a year ago, and a sister, Mrs. Edward Murphy of Gransville, Minn., died ten years ago. Clerked for the Late Henry Levy For several years Mr. McDonald clerked in the Peoples Clothing store here for the late Henry Levy. Later he was associated with three others In the Eau Claire Clothing company, and after selling out his interests In the store to one of his associates, he worked for him for a time before starting a clothing store of his own. After operating this for some years, he sold out, as his health required that be get away from inside work Later he became associated with the Wolf-Pepper Transfer company, which he directed for many years until he disposed of the business. Several years ago he became connected with the auction sales department of the Thorp Finance company and last February he joined the staff of the Eau Claire Citizens Loan. He was a life long member of St. Patrick's parish and served the congregation as secretary for many years. He was also a charter member of Eau Claire council, Knights of Columbus, and for several years was financial secretary of the council. He also had served as trustee. He was also a member of the Holy Name society. Son Is Celebrant at Requiem Mass For Ranald J. McDonald Funeral services for Ranald J. McDonald held Saturday morning (Sept. 14, 1946) at St. Patrick's church were largely attended. Celebrant of the solemn requiem high mass was the son of the deceased, the Rev. Ambrose J. MeDonald, of Ridgeway. Assisting him were the Rev. J. Francis Brady, of Lyndon Station, deacon, the Rev. Albert Zimmerman, of Hammond, sub-deacon, the Rev. George Hardy of Spring Valley, master of ceremonies, the Rev. Thos. E. Mullen, of Port Edwards, and the Rev. H. J. Deeny, of Sparta, acolytes. Sixteen members of the clergy were among those present, including eleven from out of town. Besides those already named they were Rt. Msgr. C. E. Dowd, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John W. Pittz, the Rev. Thos. F. Hayden, the Rev. John J. Paul, the Rev. Daniel J. O'Reilly, all of Eau Claire, the Rev. A. M. Kammer, of Fennimore, the Rev. Doran, of Mt. Hope, the Rev. William Daniels of Meriomonle, the Rev John McNamara, of Boscobel, the Rev. 0. E. Schulte, of Menomonie, and the Rev. L. Paquette, of Elmwood. Interment was at St. Patrick's cemetery. Active pall bearers were C. E. Foss, Edward Derouin, F. J. Brandi, C. J. Kaufman, Chas. W. Smith, an F. P. Egan. Honorary pall bearers were H.E. Stubbs, J. B. Fleming, Dr. Frank Wrigglesworth, M. it. Heffermal Otto Lund, all of Eau Claire, and A. B. Clancy, of Minneapolis, formerly of Eau Claire.