FORT WAYNE- Robert W. McKinley, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior June 9, 2011. He retired from International Harvester as an engineer in 1981. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the 90th Infantry Division in France and Germany. He was a prisoner of war in Germany for seven months and was a disabled American veteran. He received the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, European and Pacific Prisoner of War Medals along with others. He served in various offices in his churches and also in the Society of Engineering. He always said, “You don’t appreciate the freedom until it is taken from you.” Surviving are his school girl sweetheart and wife of 69 years, Willadean J. McKinley, Fort Wayne; children, Jane A. (and spouse Kim) Leasure, Warsaw, Robert N. (and spouse Libby) McKinley, London, Ohio, and Thomas L. (and spouse Sue) McKinley, Columbus; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Elzey-Patterson-Rodak Home For Funerals, 6810 Old Trail Road, Fort Wayne. Burial will be in Covington Memorial Gardens. Calling is two hours prior to the service. ***** Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences may be sent via www.elzey-patterson-rodakfuneralhome.com
