Raymond McDonald
January 12, 1931 - April 17, 2022
Obituary
Raymond John McDonald, 91, of rural Darlington, Wisconsin, died on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 AM. Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Truman, Wisconsin. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 PM Friday, April 22, 2022 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, 1245 N. Water St., Platteville, where there will be a rosary at 3:45 PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Raymond J. McDonald Memorial fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com
Ray was born on January 12, 1931 in Kendall Twp., Lafayette County, son of Patrick W. and Elizabeth (McKeon) McDonald. He graduated from Belmont High School and attended UW-Platteville where he majored in music and agriculture. He was united in marriage to Camilla Craugh on June 23, 1959 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dickeyville. Ray was a lifelong farmer, his farm was recognized as a Century Farm in 2013. He was known for his singing and musical background. His musical career started as a freshman in high school, when his high school music teacher picked Ray, with his beloved voice, to sing the state song at the First State Capitol Centennial. He sang on the radio for his brother, Patrick, while he was serving in the military in Germany. Ray played many different instruments (clarinet, piano and guitar) but is most well-known for his accordion playing. He played with the Burkhalters, Busch Orchestra, Frankie and Al Brandt, and started his own band, Ray McDonald and the Troubadours. The band consisted of local musicians as well as his family members in a career that spanned over 50 years. Raymond was a musical mentor to all who played with him in the band. He also sang for countless weddings, anniversaries and funerals for the community he loved and served. He was an active member of his church and served as Kendall Township Clerk for over 40 years. He was an avid reader, enjoyed bowling, tending to their garden, but most of all spending time with his family.
Ray is survived by his wife, Camilla; ten children, John (Teresa) McDonald, Alice (Wayne) Knutson, Francis “Bud” (Janice) McDonald, Sara (Joe) Martens, Theresa (Brian Ruf) McCarthy, Kathleen (Bruce) Lucey, Susan (Gary Ostertag) McDonald, Elizabeth (Ahmed) Al shawi, Colleen (Jeremy) Miner and Christopher (Stephanie) McDonald; 29 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Patrick McDonald; sisters-in-law, Cathy McDonald and Geneva Block; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three infant children, Mary Margaret, Steven Patrick, and Patricia Irene, his parents, brothers, Leo Francis in infancy, James (Mary) McDonald and Lawrence McDonald, sisters, Kathryn (James) Quinn, Anna (Joe) Donahoe, Judy (Cletus) Byrnes, Marie (Bernie) Kliebenstein, and Teresa (George) Lehner and sister-in-law, Lorna Mae McDonald.