Terry D. McDonald, age 69, of Newburgh, IN, passed away Monday, October 27, 2025, at Linda E. White Hospice House.
Terry was born April 23, 1956, in Mt. Carmel, IL, to Jim McDonald and Norma Jean Monaco. He married Sheree Ann McDonald on February 14, 1976, and together they built a loving family. He is survived by his wife, Sheree; their children, Michelle Seaton (Jeff), Chris McDonald (Ashley), and Damien McDonald (Katelyn); and grandchildren Parker, Preston, Arden, Amelia, Myles, and Harvey.
Terry graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1974. He studied Coal Mining Technology at Wabash Valley College and continued his studies at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He began his career at Amax Coal, where his strong work ethic and innovative thinking led him to become Director of Maintenance and later Senior Maintenance Planner.
He later joined Dry Systems Technologies, INC., serving as Director of Sales and Technical Services. During his time there, he was granted U.S. Patent No. 7,150,258 B1 for his work on diesel engine and immersion safety technology, a system designed to improve the safety and performance of heavy equipment. His contributions at DST reflected his lifelong drive to make things safer, stronger, and more efficient.
After retiring from Dry Systems Technologies, Terry continued to share his expertise at Philips Machine and later at the Evansville State Hospital and Evansville Psychiatric Children’s Center where he served as Physical Plant Director.
Terry was a hardworking man with a gift for finding better ways to do things. He had a deep passion for mentoring others and believed in lending a hand whenever someone needed help. Above all, he loved his family deeply. He was always there when they needed him — steady, devoted, and full of love for his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Terry also had a strong faith. He believed in the power of salvation through Jesus Christ and carried that faith with him throughout his life and short battle with pancreatic cancer. It guided his actions, his generosity, and his hope. His family finds comfort knowing that his faith has led him home to eternal peace, where he is free from pain, and they will be reunited with him someday.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Parkview Christian Church, 11467 N 1550 Blvd, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863. Following cremation, his ashes will remain with family.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: Boone Funeral Home in care of the Terry McDonald Vocational Scholarship Fund. Online contributions may be made under the donation tab on Terry's obituary page.
Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, IN, is handling the arrangements and is honored to serve the family of Terry McDonald. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net
