John Mcateer Jr.

John Jr. McAteer, age 85, of Buhl, died June 11, 2011, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 2 p.m. today at Buhl Church of God with Rev. Kenneth Andrews officiating. Burial will follow in Pate Cemetery with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. He was preceded in death by parents, John and Josie McAteer; brothers, Wilson, William, and Jack McAteer; and sisters, Mary McAteer, Pearl Skelton, and Mildred Baker. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Earline Channell McAteer; his children, Rita Connell (Dave), Belinda Thomas (Joe), and Jimmy McAteer; his brothers, James (Dean) and George McAteer; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grand-daughter. Pallbearers will be Jim McAteer, Joe Sullivan, Gerald Burns, Ron Estes, Jerome Freeman, and Wayne Baker. His nine great-grandsons will also serve him. Honorary pallbearers are friends of Buhl and Coker communities. Thanks to special caregivers, Connie Prince, Brandy Smith and Gail Moore; Jan Booth as his special nurse; Ron Cameron, his PT nurse; and also special thanks to ICU RN Leiann at DCH for her special kindness to us. John was a lifelong resident of the Buhl community. He was a Veteran of World War II. He was an avid horseman and enjoyed participating in all the parades and especially Mule Day each year in Gordo. He was presented the first ever Cecil B. Robertson Memorial Award Plaque on July 6, 2009, for his dedication to Mule Day. He was at every one of them through 2009 but was unable to go anymore. He also did numerous parties for children, which he loved. He was known for showing horses, horse shoeing, breaking horses, and training them all his life. His love for horses was known all around. He worked at Gulf States Paper Corp. for 26 years; after the paper mill he did some logging and continued working with horses as long as he could. You will truly be missed by all who loved you.