Donald E. McKinney

ST. JOSEPH – Donald E. McKinney passed away at 1:50 p.m. Friday (Dec. 11, 2015) at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana with his wife, son, family and friends by his side.

Donald was born on March 5, 1967, in Seattle, Wash. He was adopted by Bruce McKinney and Linda Short at birth. He graduated from Michigan City High School in 1985 and then attended DePauw University, where he graduated with a major in computer science.

At DePauw, he met his future wife, Susan Conger. They dated until May 1989 when they got married after Don completed his degree and Susan completed her master's degree. They settled in Champaign County after the wedding, first in Champaign, then in St. Joseph. Donald enjoyed living in St. Joseph and being "the librarian's husband."

He was den leader and cubmaster in Pack 40; he was committee chairman and assistant scoutmaster for Troop 79 Boy Scouts of America. Donald had many interests that he and his wife enjoyed together. They attended and served at the Church of Christ in St. Joseph, where he had served as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, deacon in charge of ushers and a youth group sponsor.

He was a member of St. Joseph Lodge 970 and Ogden Lodge 754 AF&AM. He was a member of the Valley of Danville, Scottish Rite; York Rite Independent Bodies. He was royal patron of Champaign-Urbana Court 17, Order of the Amaranth; and grand associate patron and a past grand royal patron of the Grand Court of Illinois, Order of the Amaranth. He was worthy patron and a past patron of Delmar D. Darrah Chapter 1021, Order of the Eastern Star. He was a past watchman of shepherds, Hope Shrine 106.

Donald was an avid tabletop and computer gamer and was chairman of the Winter War Gaming Convention for 22 years. In his spare time, he collaborated with Marc Miller on Traveller, a science fiction role-playing game, and had written one book and was in the process of writing two other books.

Donald is survived by his wife, Susan, and his son, Michael, with whom he enjoyed political discussions; his parents; siblings; and a niece and two nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Amaranth Diabetes Foundation.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Vinny Santanelli officiating. Burial will be in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mayview. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday with Masonic services at 7 p.m. and Order of Amaranth service at 7:30 p.m.