Obituaries

John “Jack” Stewart McDonald, age 93, of Pickford, Michigan, died on June 7, 2025, at the Ball Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was born on November 12, 1931, in Pickford to W. Forbes and Wilma (Crawford) McDonald.

Jack grew up on his family’s farm in Pickford where he learned the values of hard work and stewardship of the land. He graduated from Pickford High School and went on to attend Michigan State University, studying agriculture, a field close to his heart. Jack met the love of his life, Audrey Armstrong; they were married on February 23, 1952, at the Pickford Methodist Church and soon began building a life and family together. That same year, Jack was drafted into the United States Army and served his country with honor until his discharge. Upon returning to Pickford, he worked as a livestock dealer, supplying horses to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and to family auction yards in Rudyard and Escanaba. His passion for animals, especially horses, never waned—he continued to care for them and rode them almost daily most of his life. In 1961, Jack and Audrey founded McDonald Realty, a family business that has endured for more than six decades. He spent his working years helping people find their homes and land, always bringing integrity and a personal touch to his work.

Jack was a proud and active member of the Pickford community, serving with the Pickford American Legion, the Pickford Lions Club, and as a dedicated member of the Pickford Methodist Church. His deep faith guided his life, and he participated in international mission trips where he shared his agricultural knowledge to help others grow and thrive. He never met a stranger. Jack loved to ride in parades wearing a full Civil War uniform. He enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby and rodeos, hunting, and tending his property. But above all, Jack cherished spending time with his family and his horses.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Audrey Armstrong McDonald; sons, Forbes (Karen Stelmaszek) of Barbeau, Michigan, and Mark (Dinny Falkenburg) of Bellevue, Colorado; daughter, Alison (Matthew Sr.) Lamb; grandchildren, Andrea (Richard Crane); Paulette Sporte (Brian Faulkner), Julie (Eric) Rye, Lindsay (Micah) Brindley, Meredith Lamb, and Matthew (Erin) Lamb Jr.; great-grandchildren, Colten, Regan, Avery, Jack, Isaac, Hannah, Christian, Samuel, Lucy, William, Adriana, Harlan, and Montgomery; sister, Mary Massongill of Yucaipa, California; sister-in-law, Raeona Armstrong, of Barbeau, Michigan.

Jack was preceded in death by parents, W. Forbes and Wilma; brother Bill (Verva) McDonald; brothers-in-law, Tanny Armstrong, Don Armstrong, and Bob Massongill; sister-in-law Jean (Rocco) Borsa; and daughter-in-law Lydia (Jaworsky) McDonald.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Pickford Global Methodist Church, 115 E. Church St. Pickford, MI 49774, at 11:00 a.m.

Jack’s final resting place will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Ball Hospice House, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or Northwoods Home Care and Hospice, 500 W. McMillan, Newberry, MI 49868.