Everett Louis "Mac" McGrath (1904-1984)

MCGRATH, FRANKLIN, AMBROSE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/23/2014 at 11:50:30

From Nevada Journal February 1984

Everett Louis "Mac" McGrath, 79, who ran a furniture business in Nevada for over 30 years and who had been recognized for many contributions to the community and a number of its organizations, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 1984, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

McGrath was born at Tingley, Ia., Oct. 16, 1904. He listed Afton, Ia., as his home town and graduated from Afton High School in 1921.

Following graduation from high school, he served an apprenticeship and worked for Coen Funeral Home and Furniture Store in Afton, learning both the furniture and undertaking businesses.

In 1936 he became a sales representative for Schmitt and Henry Furniture Co. in Des Moines and traveled in southern Iowa and northern Missouri.

McGrath purchased the Morfoot and Morfoot furniture business in Nevada in 1944. He operated the store as McGrath Furniture until retiring in 1975. The store was located at the corner of 6th and J, downtown Nevada, in the building now occupied by Daehler Pharmacy. The business later became Linda Glantz Interiors.

McGrath was a member of the Nevada United Methodist Church and had served on its board of trustees.

He joined the Nevada Rotary Club in 1945 and remained active in the club the rest of his life and was one of the few members to be named to the Rotary Hall of Fame. He belonged to the Nevada Masonic Lodge. He was active in establishing the Girl Scout Troop in Nevada in 1956 and was an honorary member of the Girl Scouts of America Club. He was a charter and founding member of the Iowa Carpet Club.
McGrath was active in the Nevada Chamber of Commerce and had been honored by the chamber with a special award as an "Outstanding Contributor to the Nevada Business Community."

He had served as a trustee for the Gates Memorial Fund which built Gates Memorial Hall for the Nevada Community. He was parade marshal for the Nevada Bicentennial Celebration.
McGrath was married to Leona Franklin at Philip, S. D., on July 10, 1925. She died Feb. 2, 1973. They had one daughter, Phyllis (Mrs. Glover) Ambrose. She died in May, 1983.

Survivors include a son-in-law, Glover Ambrose; two grandsons, Mark M. Ambrose and H. Craig Ambrose, both of Nevada; a great granddaughter, Emily, of Nevada, and two brothers, James and Joe McGrath, both of Afton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his daughter, two brothers, Lloyd and Fred, and two sisters Maude and Grace.

Funeral services will by held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, in the Nevada United Methodist Church with Rev. Ernest Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Nevada Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening at Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada.