Robert F. McKinley (1897-1946)

MCKINLEY

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/28/2008 at 17:43:19

Sheriff Robert Fern McKinley 1897-1946
PHOTO AVAILABLE

In Fatal Car Accident Thursday; Accident happened South of Avoca

R. F. McKinley, 49, deputy sheriff here since 1939, was instantly killed Thursday night shortly after 8:30 pm when his automobile struck a soft shoulder on Highway 59, three and one-half miles south of Avoca, and plunged down a 30 foot embankment into Jim Creek.

McKinley was enroute to investigate an accident at Oakland, chief Deputy Fred Strother of Council Bluffs reported. Two farmers who live in the vicinity, John Pitzer and Ed Schroeder, heard the siren on the Avoca Sheriff’s car and investigated. McKinley’s watch was stopped at 8:42 pm when the farmers found the body laying partially in the wrecked automobile. State highway patrolmen surmise that McKinley was probably crowded off onto the soft shoulder by an approaching car. McKinley’s car, a 1946 Chevrolet sedan, was badly wrecked in the accident.

An autopsy performed by Drs. C.C. Huntley and Norman West of Avoca revealed that Deputy Sheriff McKinley suffered a broken back, crushed chest and his heart was pierced by a fractured rib.

He was appointed to the deputy sheriff’s job here by former Sheriff Riley Nelson in 1939 and had served in this capacity since that time.

Funeral services were held from the Blust=Berthusen funeral home Sunday, March 16, at 3 pm with Rev. John DeBerg officiating. Casket bearers were F.C. Peters, G.C. Wyland, R.G. Peters, Alfred Krieger, Grant West, and Harry Tingleff. Members of the American Legion formed an honor guard and the Legion firing squad took part in the services at the graveside. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Avoca.

Robert Fern McKinley, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William McKinley, was born at Carson on July 11, 1897. He was a graduate of the Avoca high school and also attended Iowa State College at Ames.

On January 7, 1920, he was united in marriage to Alma Priester and since then they have spent most of their life in the Avoca community.

He was a member of the Fred Funston post of the American Legion and served both as commander and adjutant of the post. He also was a member of the 40 & 8 organization. For the past ten years he has been secretary of the Pottawattamie County Fair Association resigning this position only about a week ago. Mr. McKinley was also 7th district chairman of the Junior Legion baseball group.

Fern, as he was known to most of the people in this community, was very interested in the young boys of the community. He gave a lot of his time last summer to the Junior Legion baseball program. He often would talk to youngsters giving them advice when they got into trouble.

He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. Betty Gibson of Omaha; and his mother and step-father, Mrs. And Mrs. Charles Swartz of Avoca. His father preceded him in death.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald