Rawline Eugene McAteer dies

Published: May 7, 2018

By Lanie Ray

| St. Mary Church, Mountain View

Rawline Eugene McAteer

Rawline Eugene McAteer, 83, passed away April 22 in his bed at the Highlands Skilled Nursing Facility in Mountain View. He was known by many as Eugene or Gene. The Hegenbart children and grandchildren called him Grandpa. He was born Oct. 27, 1934, in Memphis. He was adopted by Reigh Starrett and Leo McAteer.

Eugene loved to write especially about history of the Mountain View and Fox area. He also had a genuine love for the Bible as well as God, Jesus and Jesus’ mother Mary. While in the skilled nursing facilities, Eugene enjoyed the weekly church services, the singing and especially Bible trivia because he would win most of the time. He collected a great deal of religious books, enjoyed putting puzzles together and was a master at dominoes and checkers.

When he moved to Mountain View, he became a faithful member of St. Mary Church. Eugene continued his role of altar serving totaling 50 years. Father Gould asked Eugene to take on a new role of service by taking up the Sunday offertory collection, he did so with great joy. When St. Mary Church moved to the current location, Eugene enjoyed Sunday School and eventually became an assistant teacher. Eugene was known to add a few “Amen!” to key points in sermons.

He is survived by his brother, Ben Holcomb; nieces, Melva Thompson, Clareece Armstrong, LaVerne Birmingham, Patricia Harris, Vicki Foust, Kathy Stone, Lynn McGee, Kay Hughey, Wanda Marrow, Shelly Hughey, Gina Jackson, Sherry Matthews, Linda Than, Donna Brinkley; nephews Don Green, Gary Green, James Green, Melvin Green, Jr and Benny Holcomb; Godson, Eysiah Thomas Hegenbart; and “adopted grandchildren” Jessica Patrick, Sean Patrick, Sonnett Patrick, Ben Hegenbart, Mia Hegenbart and Mikal Hegenbart.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Reigh Starrett and father, Leo McAteer; and his sister, Nellie Holcomb-Green.

In lieu of flowers, there will be a collection basket in the foyer of St. Mary for the Mountain View Schools Special Olympics program. You can choose which school to support, Elementary, Middle School or High School or all. If you choose to mail a donation: High School and Middle School address: 210 High School Dr. Mountain View, AR 72560. Elementary School: 201 Elementary St. Mountain View, AR 72560

Visitation took place Monday, April 30 at St. Mary Church in Mountain View. The rosary followed the visitation. The funeral Mass followed the rosary with Father Henry Mischkowiuski officiating. There was a lunch following the funeral Mass and Eugene was then be laid to rest at Fox Cemetery in Fox, Ark.

Pallbearers were Don Green, Gary Green, James Green, Melvin Green, Jr., John Malloy, and Doug Stone. Honorary pallbearers are Ben Holcomb, Eysiah Hegenbart, Keith Hess, and Al Schiefer.

Roller Crouch Funeral Home in Mountain View was in charge of the arrangements.