Wayne R. McKinney

June 27, 1925 - July 30, 2019

Wayne R. McKinney, 94 Kearney resident Wayne R. McKinney, 94, of Kearney passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at his home in Kearney. Celebration of Life Services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 5, 2019 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kearney. Mother Stephanie Swinnea will officiate. Interment will be held following the service at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kearney. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Wayne R. McKinney was born on June 27, 1925 in Kearney to Hanson and Mabel (Hansen) McKinney. He grew up in Kearney and received his education from Kearney Public Schools, Kearney State College and the University of Denver. He enlisted in the United States Army and served during World War II. He was united in marriage to Virginia Bodinson on November 24, 1950 in Kearney. He previously lived in Nebraska City where he taught typing, shorthand, and coached golf. When he first returned to Kearney, he managed Mills Clothing Store, which ultimately became the Buckle. Wayne was employed by Platte Valley State Bank for 63 years. Besides being a past senior warden of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Wayne was active with the Good Samaritan Health System Board, Elks, Kearney Country Club, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Nebraska Diplomats, Kearney Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo County Goodfellows, Rotary, Kearney Area Community Foundation Board, Kearney Public Schools Foundation Board, Kearney Civic Development Corporation, Admiral of Nebraska Navy, Tehama Shrine, American Legion, Nebraska Bankers Association, University of Nebraska Foundation, UNK Chancellor’s Advisory Council and UNK Business and Technology College Advisory Council. Throughout his years of service and leadership, Wayne was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award and Distinguished Service Award from Kearney State College, the Founders Award from Kearney State College, Friend of Kearney from Kearney Chamber of Commerce, Diplomat of the Year for Nebraska, Outstanding Kearney Alumni from Kearney Public Schools Foundation, College of Business and Technology Distinguished Alumni Award from UNK, Freedom Award in the area of Business/Industry from the Kearney Hub, and most recently Sertoma’s Service to Mankind Award. In addition to his countless hours of service to the Kearney community, Wayne will be remembered for his sense of caring, integrity, respect and professionalism. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Virginia McKinney of Kearney; daughter, Mary Kommers and her husband, Phil of Kearney; grandson, Mark Kommers and his wife, Kelly of Leawood, Kansas; granddaughter, Katy Abelbeck and her husband, Austin of Shawnee, Kansas; 4 great-grandchildren, Jackson and Khloe Kommers and Charlotte and Anniston Abelbeck; along with other relatives and many friends. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Elmer McKinney; and daughter, Elizabeth Anne.