Kenneth Lyle McKinzie, 94, of Woodlawn, Illinois, passed away at 7:34 pm June 30, 2022, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois.
He was born January 19, 1928, in Irvington, Illinois to the late James and Mae (Raines) McKinzie. Ken married Betty Jean (Butler) McKinzie on September 10, 1954, at Faith United Methodist Church in Centralia, Illinois. They were blessed with 62 wonderful years of marriage before her passing on April 5, 2017.
Ken is survived by his children, James McKinzie and wife, Lee Ann of Woodlawn, Pamela Green and husband, Mike of Ottawa, Illinois, and Nancy Verhines and husband, Don of Woodlawn; grandchildren, Tanner Green and wife, Bethany of Warwick, Rhode Island, Brock Green and wife, Jamie of O’Fallon, Illinois, Jase Green and wife, Morganne of Ottawa, Illinois, Bronson Verhines and wife, Sarah of Indianapolis, Indiana, Dawson Verhines of Lebanon, Illinois, Kinzie Harding and husband, Gage of Sacramento, California, Gena Capps and husband, Ethan of Woodlawn, and Bria Campos and husband, Fran of Woodlawn; great-grandchildren, Addi Green, Hudson Green, Charlotte Green, Aubrey Green, Emmie Green, Isaiah Green, Theo Green, Scotty Green, Carson Verhines, Rhett Capps, Judson Capps, Diego Campos, and Leyla Campos; special nieces and nephews, Mike Ainscough and wife, Cathy, Steve Ainscough and wife, Marla, Mark Ainscough, and Nancy Ellen Knight and husband, David; and many special great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Ken was preceded in death by his grandson, Brett McKinzie; great-granddaughter, Elowynne Green; siblings, Bessie Jackson, James Wesley McKinzie, and Wayne McKinzie.
Ken graduated from Ashley High School in 1946 and was employed at Illinois Central Railroad in Centralia, Illinois from 1946 to 1950 as a carman helper. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from October 10, 1950, to January 31, 1953, during the Korean Conflict. He was wounded on February 19, 1952. In June 1955, Ken graduated from Southern Illinois University with an associate’s degree in Business. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in 1958 from SIU Carbondale and his Master of Science in Education in August 1965 from SIU Edwardsville.
Ken worked as the Superintendent at Johannisburg Community Consolidated School in Venedy, Illinois from 1958-1970. He served as Regional School Superintendent of Washington County in Nashville, Illinois from 1970-1974. Ken also served as the Superintendent of Bethel Grade School in Mount Vernon from 1974-1987. He retired in 1987. After retirement, Ken sold real estate in Mount Vernon.
A Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a service starting at 7:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Private Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2022, with full military rights conducted by the American Legion Post 141 at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn with Pastor Don Verhines and Pastor Tanner Green officiating. Interment will follow. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
