John McKinney Jr.

DANNEBROG -- John McKinney Jr., 83, of Dannebrog, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001, at his home.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Family Center in Dannebrog. The Revs. Barry Arndt and Beth Zuehlke will officiate. Burial will be in the Oakridge Cemetery in Dannebrog with military flag presentation by Mickelsen-Larkowski American Legion Post No. 241 of Dannebrog.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul.

Memorials are suggested to the John McKinney Memorial Fund.

Mr. McKinney was born Jan. 26, 1918, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to John Sr. and Mabel (Munger) McKinney. He attended school at Port Jervis, N.Y.

He married Catherine Hanks on Oct. 10, 1936, in Otisville, N.Y. The couple lived at Port Jervis, where he worked for the Merchant Marines as a radio operator and was an honorary officer in the U.S. Navy for training officers. During this time, he also served in the Coast Guard.

In 1941, the couple moved to California where he was first employed for Press Wireless and later Douglas Aircraft. In 1944, the couple returned to Port Jervis and he entered the U.S. Army serving until his discharge in 1945.

The couple moved to Grand Island and he began working for the Federal Communications Commission and served as a sergeant in the National Guard. Throughout the years, he continued his education until he obtained his engineering degree. During his career as an engineer with the FCC, the couple lived in Grand Island, Idaho, Florida and Arizona.

In 1959, the couple returned to Grand Island where he continued working for the FCC until his retirement in 1975.

In 1991, the couple moved to Dannebrog. His wife died July 25, 1996.

He attended the First Baptist Church in Dannebrog. He was a member of the VFW and Mickelsen-Larkowski American Legion Post No. 241, both of Dannebrog. He had served on the Dannebrog Town Board.

He was an avid ham radio operator and was a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association, Old Old Timers Club, Morse Telegraph Club, American Amateur Radio League and the Society of the Wireless Pioneers.

Survivors include five daughters and two sons-in-law, Diane Hollifield of Boise, Idaho, Loretta and Glen Decker of Aurora, Kathleen Tibbs of Dannebrog, Beth and James Zuehlke of Snow Camp, N.C., and Margaret "Peg" McKinney of Dannebrog; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a brother, William McKinney of Corvallis, Ore.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Virginia Krolikowski, two grandchildren and two sisters, Virginia Palmer and Loretta Hinkley.