Dennis Wayne McKinley, 73, of Powell, Ohio, passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 after a brief illness.
Dennis, known as “Denny” or “Doc” to family and friends, was born in 1942 in Ashland, Ohio.
Denny graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1960 and joined the United States Navy, where he served his country as a medic for sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid. During Denny’s service, the Intrepid was involved in astronaut recovery and the Cuban Missile Crisis Blockade of Cuba.
Denny was a lifelong public servant and enjoyed helping others. He served as a medic in the 179th Tactical Fighter Group, later to become the Tactical Airlift Group of the Ohio Air National Guard, based at Mansfield Lahm Airport. For many years, he enjoyed helping with the Ohio Special Olympics in Columbus, Ohio, through his Guard Unit from Mansfield. Later, Denny served in the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard based at Rickenbacker Airport in Columbus, Ohio.
Denny was a corrections officer at the Mansfield Reformatory in the 1980s. He began working for the Mansfield Police Department as a corrections officer in 1986, and worked there 22 years until his retirement in 2008.
After leaving the Navy, Denny returned to Mansfield, Ohio, where he met and married Beverly. They were married for nearly 50 years. Denny was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Mansfield, Ohio and Venus Masonic Lodge #152. After his retirement, Denny enjoyed traveling to Lake Erie and the Outer Banks, as well as spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed doing activities with his grandchildren and following the Buckeyes and Cleveland sports teams. Denny was a lifelong member of VFW Post #9943.
Denny is survived by his wife, Beverly Christine McKinley, of Powell, Ohio; two sons and daughters-in-law, Shawn and Carrie McKinley, of Grove City, Ohio, and Michael and Christa McKinley, of Lewis Center, Ohio; three grandchildren, Kinsale, Porter, and Keira McKinley; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Pannee McKinley, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, and Rick and Lorie Rollins, of Mansfield, Ohio; one step-brother and his wife, Larry and Maud Laughlin; step-mother, Mary McKinley; aunt, Betty Vesper; and nieces and nephews.
Denny was preceded in death by his mother, Mary M. (Harden) Walton; his father, Melvin L McKinley; and his step-father, Tommy O. Rollins.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St. Services will follow on Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 at 2 pm, officiated by Rev. Stephen Patrick.
Words of comfort may be expressed at www.wappner.com.
