Dad has a new audience,now, for all his stories and jokes! Could there ever be a better dad?  NEVER!!!  He was the model of what a loving dad and husband to mom should be -  there just isn't any better!  Dad loved to hear our "Spencer stories....Spencer being his 4-yr old grandson in Texas.  The things Spencer says and does always made Dad laugh and then he loved to pass them on to Uncle Bob, his brother.  Dad, I know that your looking down on us all and still loving those new Spencer stories as they happen.  Love never stops...and never will!  Keep them laughing in Heaven...God does love a cheerful heart!!    -   Deb

Grandpa, I find it difficult to write you a message since we got to talk to each other all of the time.  I will always cherish those conversations as well as all of my memories...our thanksgiving with Munkin in Reno and our secret burger recipe to name a few.  
I can only hope that one day I will be at least half as funny as you are and can tell a story like you.   
When I was hoping I would get a pilot slot, you told me that I would become an Air Force pilot because you have friends in "high places."  Can you tell him thanks for me?  I miss you!  Nate    
Munkin, Brenda and I both have you in our thoughts and prayers and miss you. We can't wait to see you again!     



Mary Ann, Rob & Debbie,
I am truly sorry for you lost.  Capt. Mac (as we called him at work)was truly a good friend.  He will be missed by all.  I know how close your family is but wanted to let you know you have a lot of friends that are there for you if you need them.  Take care and love to you all.

Mary 

I will never forget the day Capt McAtee came into the Marquette Heights Police and Fire Dept to look at a Fire Truck. When I asked him if he was a fireman he told me no, he worked for the Pekin Police Department. But he want to buy his son a FireTruck. I said a Fire Truck for you son, he said yes he loved fire trucks. A couple of years later I had the privilege to work with him at Pekin Police Dept.  I would like to wish the McAtee Family all my love and prayers.

Pat Long and Family

Uncle Don and Aunt Mary were so much fun to be around. I just wish we were closer many years ago, when I was growing up. I shall miss that. I was so glad Mom (Dolores) and I got to come to LasVegas in August to see Aunt Mary blossom under her Dr.'s care, and see Uncle Don, what was to be our last time.  We are currently in Texas, and I wish we could be there for Mary, Deb and Rob. We hope to be there for Aunt Mary, Smokey, Deb and Rob anytime they need us, so rest in peace, Dear Uncle Don. Please know that we love you very much!

I met Don in 1979 when he was a Sergeant with Pekin PD. He was a great communicator and taught me to always look for the good in people no matter what they might have done. He was fair and honest and above all always your friend. You could always count on Don. I can't remeber seeing him without a smile.Heaven got a little better when Don got there. So long my friend.

Deb and family -- I am sorry to learn of your loss.  Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.  Tina Reinbeck 

Rob, we are so very, very sorry for your loss. Our sympathy goes out to you and all of your family and we're thinking about all of you. Please, do not hesitate to call if there is anything - anything at all - we can do to help you, your mom or the rest of the family during this difficult time. 

We are sorry to hear about your loss.  You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Roni Lewis, Chuck & Taky Vedder 

Maryann and family, 

You and yours will be in my prayers.  Uncle Don was also a special soul to me.  No words can relieve your grief but know that others are here for you and understand/share your sorrow.  He is no longer ill or suffering.  God Bless an take care. 

Jan Mc Atee

I will miss the many conversations and shared stories I enjoyed with my uncle. I can recall memories of him and my aunt while they were dating and I was a small child. I recall visiting him at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Ill. I walked with him on his postal route and went to his wedding to my aunt. I recall hunting with him in Greenview, Ill. and remember the afternoon when an owl swooped down on us and tried to take the rabbit he had just shot. I recall going to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Ill. and riding the double-decked ferris wheel high over the midway. I recall his experiences as a Pekin police officer and later, his retirements in Sierra Vista, AZ and later to Pahrump, NV. I will miss him and his knowledge about life. Towards the end of his life he experienced many physical problems. I never once heard him complain or let his condition take away his optimism and love of life. I truly admired him as a man.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your father.  I know you were very close with him.  You and your family will be in my prayers.

I'll always remember the great times we shared.  I will miss you,Uncle Don...........Bebop

Don, only father-in-law, you have always been a great husband, father, grandfather,father-in-law and mentor.  Your sense of humor and postive look atlife was a direct inherintance from Grandpa Mac - except you took the humor to a higher level.  You always looked for the best in all and helped many people turn their lives around as you performed your police duties.  I will always recall the times we were together, even when we were at crime scenes when you were called away from the holiday meals.  

We are all conviced that God needed you to provide him with humorous stories in these trying times, you will be gretaly missed by all here on earth, but we know we have an advocate in Heaven! 

I am so lucky to be my grandpa's granddaughter.  I loved listening to his many police stories, which sparked me to want to follow in his footsteps.  Who else could eat a sandwich at a homicide and not think twice about it?  He always had a sense of humor, no matter what the situation was.  Grandpa started the tradition of his "secret" beer burger recipe. Whenever we grill out, it's always Grandpa's beer burgers!  I am quite thankful for the many memories that I will always cherish.

We miss you already, Grandpa. We are so glad you got to meet your newest great-grandson at Christmas and that they both got to know you. Munkin, we are thinking about you and have faith that things worked out how they were meant to be. Your amazing strength has always helped our family through anything. We'll miss Grandpa's sense of humor and goofy sayings. Who else says, "You ole stick in the mud" and comes up with 1-800 Coyote? I'll always remember him and Rob rushing off to some fire or police call at family gatherings and how excited he'd get. We love you both and continue to pray for you. Liz, Tim, Spencer, and Evan 

Dad,

You and mom have had some pretty tough times the past few years.  Through it all, we have always tried to be there for you and mom as you and mom were always there for us as we were growing up.  

I sure wish that I could have done more when mom called the other night when you needed help.  God must have needed you in heaven knowing that well take good care of mom and Smokey here.

My dad, my friend, my buddy and the one I always talked to when I had those certain questions when I needed advice.  You never let me down and you never let your family down.  Ill miss you dad.

Love Rob


OBITUARY

Donald D McAtee

21 June, 1931 – 3 March, 2007

Preston-Hanley Funeral Home & Crematory

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