Robert J. McKinney

Robert McKinney, 73, Columbia City, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at Parkview Regional Medical Center.

Born Jan. 4, 1947, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Daniel Roy McKinney and Versa (Gibson) McKinney.

He grew up in McMinnville, Ore., where he enjoyed fishing and raising chickens. On a visit to see his father, he met Janell Hammons and fell in love. The two were married on June 16, 1973, in Clintwood, Va., and would move to Oregon for the next eight years before moving back to rural Larwill. In 2007, he and Janell moved to Columbia City. After 30 years, he retired from STAFCO as a welder and worked at the Columbia City Walmart as an assembler for a few years. He always liked to stay busy, enjoyed being outdoors and found relaxation in fishing and mowing.

He loved his family and cherished his four grandchildren. In recent years he found joy in playing Farmville on the iPad and having his family join him on the CO-Op. Bob had excellent repair skills and taught his family some of the basic skills needed for life. He was loving but had a good sense of humor to play a joke.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 47 years: Janell McKinney; son: Adam (Lydia) McKinney; daughter: Kelly (Josh) Jefferson; grandchildren: Henry, Ellie, Samuel and Emily; sisters: Eva Glass and Mary (Jim) Bundy; and brothers: Tom (Shirley) McKinney, Russ McKinney, John (Lucy) McKinney and Jack (Diane) McKinney. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers: Michael McKinney, Danny McKinney and Richard McKinney.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Face masks are required for attendance. Due to the current Covid restrictions, there will be a private service for the immediate family but it may be watched live on Facebook through DeMoney Grimes Live at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. Burial will take place at Stough Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given in memory to Riley Hospital for Children or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.