Emerson MacDonald, 93, passed away peacefully at his home in Great Bend on April 28. He was born Sept. 3, 1917, at Hackettstown, N.J., the son of Emerson C. and Grace (Petty) MacDonald. He married Gladys Naoma Glass on May 29, 1941, at Winfield. She passed away Oct. 20, 2006. He was an English teacher at Great Bend High School for 47 years. He was a Great Bend resident since 1947, coming from Burlington.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Mr. MacDonald was a member of First United Methodist Church; American Legion Argonne Post 180, where he was past commander; Barton County Retired Teachers Association; and Masonic Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. 15, all of Great Bend. He enjoyed gardening and yard work.

Survivors include two sons, Emerson W. MacDonald and wife Sheryl of Otis, and Gregory MacDonald and wife Mona of Hutchinson; one daughter, Shirley Gunn and husband Doug of Weaverville, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Tammy Larson, Tracy Shopp, Jeremy Penka, Tavis MacDonald, Brandon MacDonald, Travis MacDonald and Hunter MacDonald; and seven great-grandchildren, Allie, Jake, Jordan, Laynee, Corbyn, Rylee and Karsyn. He was preceded in death by one brother, Fred MacDonald; and one stepsister, Joyce Ware.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Great Bend, with the Rev. Tom Sheldon officiating. Interment will be at Great Bend Cemetery, with graveside rites by Fort Riley Honor Guard and Masonic Lodge No. 15 Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, with the family with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.