Donald Keith McKinney

Donald K. McKinney, 89, of South Sioux City died Friday, November 27, 2009 at a Sioux City hospital.Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, with Rev. Roger Madden officiating. Interment will follow in the Dakota City Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Air Force. Visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 30, 2009, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.Donald Keith McKinney was born in South Sioux City on November 15, 1920, the son of Albert and Harriett (Crouch) McKinney. He graduated from South Sioux City Schools in 1938. Following his graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force on June 5, 1939, where he served his country for more than 23 years, serving in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, concluding his career with his discharge on January 31, 1963, retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant.He was united in marriage with Mary Louise Gulick on July 3, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. To this union, five children were born. Following his discharge, the family returned to South Sioux City, where Don began selling real estate for Fearing Real Estate. In 1965, he became the city administrator for the City of South Sioux City, where he continued for nine years. In 1974 he began work for SIMPCO as director for the Area Agency on Aging, a position he continued for five years. In 1979 he began working as the city administrator for Dakota City, where he continued his career for another six years, retiring in 1985. In retirement, Don continued to serve others, as he was a volunteer for Northeast Community College as a tutor in the English language.Don was a member of the International City Management Association for 15 years, the Nebraska City Management Association for 11 years, a member of the South Sioux City Eagles Club, the American Legion, the VFW, and Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years. Don was an avid reader, who continued to keep up with current affairs until his death. He loved spending time with his family and all the special times he was able to be with his grandchildren. He was an avid Nebraska fan, who enjoyed their victory over the Colorado Buffalos prior to his death.Don is survived by his loving wife of more than 66 years, Mary Lou; his children, Don McKinney and his wife, Brenda of Ponca, NE, Kay DeLaughter and her husband, Don of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Pat Brandes and her husband, Rick of South Sioux City and Jan Anderson and her husband, Dave of Omaha; his 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; along with numerous nephews and nieces.Preceding his in death were his son, Paul; brothers, Alfred, Evan and Dean; and sister, Marguerite.Serving as pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Paul, Brian and John McKinney, Traci Merchant, Adam DeLaughter, Lindsay DeLaughter, Brianna Reed, Blair Brandes, David Anderson and Kalee Anderson.