June Ellen McDonald was born on July 12, 1953 in Alma, Nebraska to Orville and Mildred (Schilz) Hazelton. Orville died from the results of an automobile accident when June was very young. Mildred married Jake Heinbigner and June would always consider him to be her dad. June attended school in Culbertson and graduated with the class of 1972. She continued her education at the McCook Beauty Academy and started a long career as a hairstylist and cosmetologist.
June met Rick McDonald at a concert in McCook and it was love at first sight. After just a few months they were united in marriage at Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson on April 30, 1978. June and Rick would live their entire lives in Culbertson where they would welcome three children: Melissa, Christina, and AJ. June worked for Aphrodite Hair Design in McCook for many years before opening her own salon in Culbertson. Later in life, she worked at Southwest Area Training Center in McCook until failing health forced her to retire.
June was a member of the Methodist Church and was active with the Methodist Women. She enjoyed time and activities at the senior center and spent many hours creating beautiful ceramics. June was always quick with a smile and a kind word. She loved spending time with her family; especially her grandchildren. Her fried chicken dinners were a true treat in the McDonald household.
June passed away early Monday morning, August 22, 2022 at the El Dorado Manor in Trenton. She was 69 years of age.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Sue Ellen Heinbigner.
She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 44 years, Rick McDonald of Culbertson; daughter, Melissa (Nick) Weiss of Funk, Nebraska; daughter, Christina (Phillip) Thompson of Culbertson; son, AJ (Kayla) McDonald of Culbertson; grandchildren: Jake, Dalton, Colin, Joey, Mikey, and Lizzy; sisters, Linda (Bill) Smitherman of Florida and Cathy (Tom) Golding of South Carolina; parents-in-law, Roanld (Nancy) McDonald of Burns, Wyoming; and her brother-in-law, Alan (Cathy) McDonald of Burns, Wyoming.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022 from 10AM-6PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. The family will be present to greet friends from 4PM-6PM.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM, Friday morning, August 26, 2022 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Interment will follow services in the Culbertson Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in June’s name. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.