George McCartney

George Edward “Eddie” McCartney was born on a farm near Casey, in Adair County, on May 5, 1931. Eddie died at MercyOne Medical Center in West Des Moines on Oct. 13 at the age of 89 years, five months and eight days.

Eddie attended Casey Public Schools through sixth grade and loved helping his grandparents on their farms. In 1942, the McCartneys moved to Bagley, where Eddie spent the rest of his life.

Eddie attended Bagley Independent School, graduating in 1949. As a boy, he delivered the Des Moines Register, mowed lawns, worked in the Gerald Anderson Grocery store and assembled machinery at the Gilliland Implement Company. While in high school, Eddie was an outstanding athlete, playing baseball, basketball and football.

After high school, Eddie continued working for the Gilliland Implement Company, where his goal was to have all farm machinery in the area RED.  In 1951, Eddie was drafted into the U.S. Army, spending two years in the service of his country.

Eddie met Catherine “Katie” Hotaling, Bagley’s new English and home economics teacher, who was renting a room from Eddie’s parents. Eddie and Katie married on June 12, 1954, in Walkill, N.Y., her hometown. They returned to Bagley, where they lived for 63 years. They were the proud parents of Linda and John, children they loved with all of their hearts.

Everybody in the area knew Eddie. He made friends wherever he went.

His sales jobs at Gilliland Implement, a car dealership and Reuter’s Implement provided for his family while making it hard for Eddie to go anywhere without spotting a friend. His love for his hometown helped the Bagley community for decades. He held leadership roles at Bagley United Methodist Church, Bagley Lions Club, Guthrie County’s Youth Foundation Board, and was instrumental in promoting the Bagley Centennial in 1981.

Eddie’s love of horses was on display each summer when he entered his Shetland ponies in local parades. In recent years, he spread joy at coffee shops, restaurants and senior citizen communities from Jefferson to Perry and Madrid, often accompanied by his helper and dear friend, Geri Shirbroun, of Bayard.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda (Dave) Ketterer, of Monticello, Ind.; his son, John McCartney, of Houston; one grandson, Travis Ketterer; his brother, Keith (Beverlee) McCartney, of Ashburn, Va.; his sister, Rita (Bruce) Blecken, of West Des Moines; six nieces and nephews, and 12 great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie; and his younger sister, Mary Ann McCartney.

Visitation was held Oct. 16 at the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home.

A private family funeral service was held at the Bagley United Methodist Church, with Pastor Larry Monthei, officiant.

Music included “In the Garden” and “Amazing Grace” (Sheilah Pound, soloist; Lula Garnes, accompanist).

Honorary bearers were Don Wolfe, Kelly Forburger, Kurt McCartney, Hazel Frederick, Wayne Taylor, Dean Shiflet, Kevin McCartney, Jim King and Kathy King.

Casket bearers were Andrea Crabb-Elkin,  Cortney Elkin, Dennis Crabb, Leslie Hanson, Travis Ketterer, Steffanie Elkin and Aaron Elkin.

Private interment was in the Dodge Twp. Cemetery, Guthrie County.

Per his wishes, a celebration of life for Eddie will be held around May 5, 2021, to celebrate what would have been his 90th birthday. The family will determine the future date, time and place for this event.  

Memorials are suggested to the Bagley United Methodist Church and Guthrie County Youth Foundation.