John L. Mckinney

John L. McKinney, 87, of Powell, TN, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of his heavenly Father, Friday October 3, 2014 at his home after a 9 month fight with cancer. He was born December 8, 1926, in Grandin, Missouri, the son of C.D. McKinney and Nora Fissel. He married Delma Chitwood on June 10, 1950 in Van Buren, Missouri. In addition to his wife of 64 years, Delma McKinney, Mr. McKinney is survived by a son, John L. McKinney, II and wife Marty of Johnson City, and a daughter, Teresa Hoekstra and husband Roy of Knoxville; seven grandchildren, Jason Hoekstra and wife Julie, Scott Hoekstra and wife Keely, Tiffani Roop and husband Justin, Shawna McKinney, John L. McKinney, III, Jacob Hoekstra and wife Becca, and Joseph Hoekstra; five great grandchildren Joshua, Nathaniel, Samuel, Alia, and Matthew. He is survived by a sister June Dudycha, and a brother C.D. McKinney. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Kathleen Maberry and Nancy Bowen and grandson Matthew Hoekstra. Mr. McKinney proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He went to the Philippines and Japan during that time. He was employed at the News Sentinel in Centralia, Illinois for 33 years. He retired and moved to Knoxville to be near his children and grandchildren. He loved to fish with his grandsons, go camping, paint, and grow flower and vegetable gardens. Each winter, he and his wife became “snow birds” and went to Avon Park, Florida where they worked at a Holiness camp. He loved the Lord with all his heart and was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather. He leaves behind a godly legacy to his children and will be missed by all. A funeral service will be held 7pm Monday at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel. The interment service will be held 11am Tuesday at Bookwalter Cemetery. Family and friends will gather from 5pm to 7pm Monday at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel for visitation. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Bookwalter United Methodist Church building fund.