Interesting News From Arnolds Park
Sonny (Keith) McKinney, who worked in his parents Allendale grocery store last summer and later in the Phillips station, is with the military police and is at St. Louis.
Source: The Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday, August 05, 1944, Page 9
NEWS of SERVICE MEN
Pfc. Derald McKinney now has an overseas address with an APO number out of San Francisco.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, August 10, 1944, Page 1
Prominent Youth from Arnolds Park Killed in Philippines
Arnolds Park, Ia.—Special: Mr. and Mrs. Melvin McKinney received a War Department telegram sating that their son, Keith, died in the Philippines November 12. They had previously been advised he had been seriously injured that day. He had taken part in the invasion of Leyte island.
The youth went into the army in March, 1943, after his graduation from Arnolds Park high school May, 1942. He was widely known in the lake region, having aided his father and uncles in the annual ice harvest and summer ice business and had been a popular caddy at the Brooks’ Country Club during his early high school years. He was a member of the local basketball team. When he was a caddy, the youth had received a serious injury to one eye when a golf ball careened off a tree and hit him as he played in his home yard one evening.
Mr. and Mrs. McKinney operate a grocery store here. They also have a daughter, Mrs. Robert Dean, who lives with them while her husband, a marine, is in service.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, January 4, 1945
Memorial Services Held At Arnolds Park Sunday
Memorial services were held Sunday, March 4, for Francis Maynard Molloy, Howard Foss and Derald Keith McKinney, Arnolds Park service men who have given their lives for their country.
Francis Molloy entered service in October, 1940, as an infantryman. He later transferred to the air corps. He was killed in action in the Mediterranean area in March, 1943. Howard Foss entered service in April, 1941, in the infantry, and was killed in action in Italy in November, 1943. Derald Keith McKinney entered service in March, 1943. He was an infantryman and was killed in action on Leyte Island in the Philippines in November, 1944.
Rites were under the direction of the Okoboji Lakes Post No. 654, with William Christenson acting as sergeant at arms, Paul Mansmith and E. Zurns as color bearers and D. Clark and Glen Kilts as color guards.
“The Star Spangled Banner” was sung by Mrs. Harland, accompanied by Mrs. Plooster, and the high school sextette (sic) offered “The Green Cathedral” and “Prayer Perfect.”
Adjutant A. L. Beverly spoke briefly on the service given by these boys. Rev. l. Sams, pastor of the Friends church, and Rev. C. K. Hudson, pastor of Calvary Methodist church, officiated at the impressive service. Post Commander Forrest Jones, and Mrs. A. C. Switzer, Auxiliary present, presented the flags and plaques to the next of kin.
Mrs. Francis Molloy, widow of the young man killed over the Mediterranean; Miss Marjorie Foss, sister of the youth killed in Italy; and Mrs. Melvin McKinney, mother of the youth killed in the Leyte invasion, received the memorial flags that are given by the government to bereaved families. Mrs. Melvin Molloy, sister-in-law of Francis Molloy, Miss Ruth Molloy, his sister, Mr. McKinney, Mrs. Robert Dean, a sister, and John Burger, grandfather of the Foss youth, were also in attendance at the service.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, March 08, 1945, Page 1
Keith McKinney Rites Wed.
LOST LIFE ON LEYTE ISLAND DURING WAR;
INTERMENT IN OKOBOJI CEMETERY.
The grim cost of the last war was brought directly to local folks this week when the body of the second southern Dickinson county youth was brought home from the Philippines to be buried among his people.
Derald Keith McKinney of Arnolds Park, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin McKinney, lost his life on Leyte Island, in the Philippines, while serving with the 96th Division of the U. S. Army, during the invasion of those island.
Last rites were held in the Methodist church in Arnolds Park Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 8, when friends and relatives gathered in respect to this youth who gave so much. Rev. C. K. Hudson and Rev. L. W. Sams were in charge of the services. Part of the services were in charge of the Okoboji Lakes Legion Post. Interment was made in the Okoboji cemetery.
Derald Keith McKinney, son of Melvin and Velma McKinney, was born at Okoboji, Iowa, Sept. 8, 1944, and met his death in Leyte, Phillippine Islands, Nov. 12, 1944, while serving his country. The body lay in Leyte cemetery until returned to the States recently.
Keith, “Sonny” as he was called by all who knew him, attended Sunday school at the Friends church and graduated with the largest class ever to [Page 12] graduate from the Arnolds Park school in the year 1942. His friendly, happy disposition endeared him to all.
For three years he was a caddy at Brooks Golf and Country club, and during this time he lost the sight of one eye due to a serious injury.
In March, 1943, he entered the service with the military police and after eight months was transferred to the A. S. T. P. and was stationed in Chicago. He later was put in the infantry due to the serious war situation at that time. He left the States with Gen. MacArthur’s forces in July, 1944.
On Dec. 12 a telegram was received saying he was seriously injured, but on Jan. 2 a second telegram informed his parents he had died of wounds on Nov. 12, 1944.
He leaves to mourn his death his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin McKinney, one sister, Mrs. Bob (Melva) Dean, grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur McKinney and Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and a host of friends.
Casketbearers were Wave Miguel, Don Miguel and John Becker of Arnolds Park and George Rambow of Chicago and John Allen and Wayne Kizer of Spirit Lake. Billie Lou Walmer sang “The Lord’s Prayer” at the services.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, September 09, 1948, Pages 1 & 12
Pvt. Derald Keith (Sonny) McKinney is buried in Okoboji Cemetery, Arnolds Park, IA.
Source: ancestry.com
