S.T. McATEE, 79, Council Bluffs grocer for more than fifty years, died Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at his home, 519 Clark Avenue, of complications. He had been in declining health for several years.

Mr. McAtee was a native of St. Charles, MO, but came to Council Bluffs when he was 16 to attend parochial school under an uncle, the Rev. B.P. McMenomy, who built the present St. Francis Church.

He worked for $12 a week until he saved $165, which he put in a horse and rig for delivery service. He bought a grocery on the installment plan.

He was the first Council Bluffs grocer to put all his goods indoors. Streets then were unpaved, and his new venture of keeping merchandise indoors was prompted by sanitary motive. His new venture brought many customers to a business, which before his purchase was slowly fading out of existence.

Mr. McAtee formerly served as a director of the National Grocers’ and Butchers’ Association. He was a member of the first board of the city water works.

He was a member of the Elks, a charter member of the Council Bluffs Country Club, a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Francis Church.

He is survived by one son, Dr. J.S. McAtee of Los Angeles, California; one daughter, Mrs. Lucille Reynolds of Council Bluffs; three brothers, P.B. Matthew and Bernard McAtee of Denver, Colorado; and two sisters, Mrs. Edith Davis of Denver and Sister Mary Gertrude of Middleton, Ohio. There are five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Church. The Rev. Leo McAtee, St. Louis, MO, a cousin will assist in the service.

Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The Beem-Belford Funeral Home is in charge. (Section C, Row 8)

Funeral services for S.T. McATEE were held Tuesday at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Church, requiem mass being celebrated by the Rev. James P. Danahey. Paul Burke, vocalist was accompanied on the organ by Eddie Butler. Priests present in the sanctuary were the Revs. Joseph C. Zuercher, S.J., president of Creighton University, Leo Mullany, S.J. of Creighton, Ignatius Stein, OS.B., Daniel O’Connel, Dennis Curtin and J.F. Costello and Msgr. F.P. McManus.

Pallbearers were Mr. Burke, Donald Baird, Dr. S.D. Maiden, Dr. W.E. Ash, J.F. Mulqueen and James Mulqueen, Jr.

Burial was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Beem-Belford Funeral Home was in charge. The Elks, Knights of Colubus and the Council Bluffs Grocers’ and Butchers’ as association attended in a body.