McKinley, Charles "Chas" William

MCKINLEY, DIESING, VAN DOLAH, MCDONALD, WITT, PARARY

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 3/16/2010 at 19:31:15

The Clinton Herald
March 12, 2010
Charles “Chas” William McKinley
Herald Staff Report

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. — Charles “Chas” William McKinley, 86, of Brownsville, PA (Malden), died Thursday March 11, 2010, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born April 5, 1923, in Clinton, IA, a son of the late Harry and Anne Marie Diesing McKinley.

Mr. McKinley was a proud graduate of the University of Iowa with an Economics degree. He was the drum major of the University of Iowa Marching Band. During the Second World War, he served his country in the United States Air Force as part of the Caribbean Defense Command, 32nd Fighter Squadron 6th Air Force.

Mr. McKinley was the President of the Brownsville Publishing Corporation, publisher of The Telegraph a daily newspaper. He worked at the Telegraph for thirty nine years before selling the paper in 1988. Mr. McKinley was a mentor for many journalism students throughout the area.

He was active in his community well into retirement. He was a past President of the Fayette County Development Council, the Brownsville Chamber or Commerce, the Brownsville General Hospital and the Brownsville Planning Commission. He served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank & Trust, Integra and National City Bank. He was an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Brownsville and a present member of the First Presbyterian Church of California. He served as President of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers‚ Association (1967) and President of PNPA Foundation. He was an emeritus member of the Advisory Board for Penn State University, the Eberly campus.

When Mr. McKinley and his wife moved to Brownsville area in 1949, they thought themselves to be newcomers. In later years, it was learned that Mr. McKinley’s ancestors had been early pioneers in the area. His great-grandfather, Jesse Van Dolah was born in Fayette County in 1801. The Van Dolahs‚ left the area as part of the great western migration in the early 1800s settling eventually in eastern Iowa.

Mr. McKinley is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margery McDonald McKinley; four daughters, Dr. Karen L. McKinley and Laura A. McKinley both of Norfolk, VA, Leslie M. McKinley of Brooklyn, NY, Margery L. McKinley of California, PA, and a son Charles “Chuck” W. McKinley, Jr. of Brownsville, PA; and a granddaughter, Megan L. McKinley of Washington, D.C.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents and sisters Mildred Witt of Clinton, IA, and Grace Parary of Decatur, IL.

Friends will be received Sunday, March 14, 2010, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Monday, March 15, 2010, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the John B. Greenlee Funeral Home, 2830 Main Street, Beallsville, PA.

A celebration of his life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of California at a later date. Interment will be in Clinton, IA, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 4th and Liberty Streets, California, PA 15419 or Penn State Fayette Advisory Board Foundation, Route 119 North, Uniontown, PA 15401 or Brownsville Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 317, Brownsville, PA 15417 or the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Foundation, 3899 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Online guest book and personal condolences may be accessed by www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.

Death date: March 11, 2010