Obituary of Donald Lee McKinney

Donald Lee McKinney, the son of Robert Clarence and Grace Irene (Jackson) McKinney, was born June 18, 1929, in Monroe, Iowa.  He graduated from the Newton Senior High School with the class of 1948.  Don served his country in the United States Air Force from 1950 – 1953.

On March 28, 1953, Don was united in marriage with Hilma Mae Dammeier in Metz, Iowa.  He worked as a machinist for Parsons Company from 1948 – 1968 and went on to work for Fisher Controls.  Don enjoyed watching baseball and WWE Wrestling and working in his garden.

Don died on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Park Centre Health Care Center in Newton, Iowa.  He was 95 years old.  Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hilma on April 15, 2009; his brothers, Wayne and Lloyd; and several cousins.

Those left to honor Don’s memory include his daughters, Ellen Ritter, Rhonda (Rich) Boyd and Penny (Jeff) Wrage; his grandchildren, Lee (Karen) Ritter, Amy (Curt) Jones, Roy (Jennifer) Ritter, Emily Boyd, Caitlin (Josh) Lawson, Brandon (Corrie) Boyd, Tammy Reese, Derek Wrage; many great grandchildren, a great-great granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Palo Alto Cemetery in rural Newton, Iowa.  A Facebook Live broadcast will begin at 2:30 p.m. on the Pence Reese Funeral Home Facebook page.  Memorials may be designated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be left at the funeral home.