Irvin Mackie (Hartville)'s Obituary
Irvin Clyde Mackie, 87, of Grovespring, Mo., departed this life on Friday,
September 30, 2016, at Cox Medical Center South in Springfield.
Irvin was born on August 26, 1929, near Grovespring to George and Vada
(Prock) Mackie. He attended the Grovespring Grade School and completed
an eighth-grade education.
Irvin's life was primarily defined by his faith and his family. He attended
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church as a child and accepted Jesus Christ as his
personal Savior at an early age. For over 60 years, Irvin was a member of
Elk Creek Baptist Church near Hartville, faithfully serving in many
capacities, including Sunday School superintendent, adult class teacher,
and deacon, and practicing his belief that you should be in church 1/ any
time the doors are open."
After a period of service in the U.S. Army, Irvin was united in marriage to
Ruby Jean Hightower on January 4, 1952, and to this union, two children
were born. After working a series of jobs in Lebanon and Kansas City, Irvin
and Ruby purchased a 160-acre farm outside Grovespring, where they
would remain until after their retirement. Irvin was a hard worker, always
keeping busy between his various jobs and his responsibilities on the farm.
For over 20 years, he worked for MFA as a feed truck driver and manager,
retiring in 1992. In his later years, he enjoyed driving a school bus for the
Hartville School District. Irvin loved and supported the Grovespring
community, helping wherever he was needed. He was a charter member of
the Grovespring Lions Club for 55 years, through which he and Ruby
helped start the annual Grovespring Horse Show.
Horses were Irvin's passion from the beginning. He bought his first
Missouri Fox Trotter at age 12, joined the Missouri Fox Trotter Horse Breed
Association in 1958, and began showing in 1961. At the MFTHBA
celebration in 1972, Irvin rode his brother-in-law's horse, Rebel Lad, to a
World Grand Championship - a highlight of his showing career. Irvin was
inducted into the MFTHBA Hall of Fame in 2005, a reflection of the many
years of service and support he and Ruby gave to the organization.
Irvin was preceded in death by his wife of 58 1/2 years, Ruby Jean
(Hightower) Mackie; his parents; his in-laws, Clifford and Julia Hightower;
three brothers-in-law, Leslie Massey, Oran Mace, and Ralph Neasby; and
one sister-in-law, Dianne Hightower. He is survived by his daughter, Janice
Erisman and husband Roger of Grovespring; his son, Mark Mackie and
wife Caryn of Springfield; four grandchildren, Karrie Badami of
Springfield, Nathan Erisman of Austin, Tex., Zackarie Mackie and Jennifer
Songer of Springfield, and Josh Erisman and wife Brittany of Strafford;
eight great-grandchildren, Karli, Blake, and Ashli Badami, Lyla and
Georgia Jean Mackie, and Malachi, Lydia, and Josiah Erisman; two sisters,
Marie Massey of Grovespring and Olive Mace of Niangua; two brothers,
Loren Mackie and wife Sue of Grovespring, and Roy Mackie and wife
Lovena of Republic; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Faye Neasby of Lebanon,
and Patty Crain and husband Charles of Springfield; one brother-in-law,
Charles Hightower and wife Carol of Lebanon; and a host of relatives and
friends.
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the
Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Hartville. Funeral services will be held on
Tuesday, October 4, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at
Shaddy Cemetery near Grovespring. Memorial donations may be made to
the Grovespring Lions Club or Shaddy Cemetery, care of the funeral home
at P.O. Box 236, Hartville, Missouri 65667.
What’s your fondest memory of Irvin ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Irvin ?
Share a story where Irvin 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Irvin you’ll never forget.
How did Irvin make you smile?
