George McKinney

George Willis McKinney, age 81, of rural Bagley, passed away Sunday, February 27, 2011, at Orchard Manor in Lancaster. He was born on June 5, 1929, in Patch Grove Township, the son of Boyd and Zelda (Willis) McKinney. George graduated from Patch Grove High School in 1947. On February 15, 1950, he was united in marriage to Veronica Vopelak at St. Johns Catholic Church, Prairie du Chien. Together they farmed near Bagley. To this union, three children were born: Michael, Roger and Janelle. Veronica died suddenly of an aneurysm on May 13, 1977, at age 47.

Georges era of farming spanned more than seventy years, starting as a little boy helping his dad work with horses, to buying the home farm in 1956 and adding adjacent land as it became available. In 1977, George, Michael, and Roger formed the McKinney Farms Corporation, and continued to work the family farm. They received awards and recognition for the Quality of Milk and for Outstanding Work in Soil and Water Conservation.

George was a longtime member of St. Johns Catholic Church, Patch Grove, serving in various offices. He was an elected officer on the AMPI Board and a director for the Grant-Crawford Co-Op. He also served sixteen years as a trustee on the Wyalusing Township Board. On October 26, 1979, George and Lillian (Fralick) Schnering were united in marriage at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington. They recently celebrated their 31^st Wedding Anniversary.

Everyone who knew George will remember his good natured personality, his ability to think things through, and to know exactly how each job should be done, his love for card playing, music, dancing and square dancing. For several years, George and Lillian enjoyed spending the winter months in southern Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Lillian McKinney; children: Michael (Donna) McKinney; Roger (Judy) McKinney, all of Bagley; Janelle (Greg) Crubel, Bloomington; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister, Carol Carroll; sisters and brothers-in-law: Mary McKinney, Rockford, IL; Phyllis (Roger) Osterhaus, Bloomington; Edward (Judy) Vopelak, Janesville; Richard (Margaret) Vopelak, North Carolina; nieces and nephews. He is further survived by step-children: Richard (Carol) Schnering, Roger (Brenda) Schnering, all of Cassville; Donald (Vicky) Schnering, Lehr, ND; step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Veronica, George was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth, his sister, Myrna McKinney Welsh; brothers-in-law: Donald Welsh, Charles Red Carroll, Edward, Lawrence, Robert, and Floyd Bud Fralick; sisters-in-law: Elsie Drew and Geneva Picha.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington with Father John Meinholz officiating. Burial was at a later date. Family and friends called on Friday, March 4, 2011, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church in Bloomington, where a 3:45 p.m. scripture service will be held. Friends also called on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington assisted the family. In lieu of plants and flowers, a George W. McKinney memorial fund has been established.