Former Springfield Mayor N.L. “Mac” McCartney passed away Friday at the age of 99. He served on City Council from 1987 to 1993 and as Mayor from 1993 to 1995. Among many acts as Mayor, he created Springfield Art Museum Day on Oct. 28, 1994, when dedicating the opening of the Jeannette L. Musgrave Wing of the museum

Mayor N.L. McCartney“On top of all else, Mac was a kind and caring soft-spoken person. He served the community well throughout many decades as a volunteer and businessman. Our heart goes out to his family and we assure them he will be remembered for the positive impact he made on Springfield,” said Mayor Ken McClure.

Mayor McCartney spent more than 50 years as a Springfield businessman and community volunteer. In addition to serving on City Council and as Mayor, he served as president of the Southeast Rotary Club, and district governor of Rotary International. He was chairman of the Board of Directors of ARC Foundation, City Utilities, American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Town of Missouri, Visiting Nurse Association and Foundation, and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. He served as a board member of American Public Power Association, Missouri Municipal League, and Springfield Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Mayor McCartney served his country for thirty years: in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam - retiring in 1972 as a U.S. Army Colonel. He was awarded Combat Infantry Badge with Star, two Legions of Merit, seven Bronze Star medals, three Purple Hearts, and the French and Greek Legions of Honor.

He was born in Jameson, Missouri, attended the University of Missouri and the University of Nebraska. He attained his B.S. from the University of Maryland, his MBA from Syracuse University, and a MPA from George Washington University. Mac was also an Instructor of Business Management at Missouri State University.

A memorial service will be held in Spring of 2023 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home followed by interment at Springfield National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “The McCartney Fund”, for cancer and heart research at the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

For more information, contact Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].