McKinney - Wilber Paul
Source: Loveland Reporter Herald Thursday May 24, 2001 page b-3
Wilbur Paul McKinsey, 82, of Berthoud, died May 22, 2001, in Berthoud, following a lengthy illness. He was born Sept. 21, 1918, in Sheridan, Ind., to Luster Buell McKinsey and Florence Lorraine Webster McKinsey. He attended school in Sheridan and Noblesville, Ind., and graduated from Noblesville High School in 1937, where he played basketball. He entered the U.S. Army in May 1942 during World War II. He served as a corporal in the field artillery in the South Pacific campaigns for New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. He also served in the Army of Occupation in Japan until October 1945, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Noblesville. He was a barber most of his working life and had barbershops in Sheridan, Cicero, Anderson, Indianapolis and Noblesville. He retired in 1986. He married Myrna Butler in the early 1950s. She preceded in death in August 1963 in an automobile accident near their home in Sheridan. His three children, Mark, Daniel and Phillip McKinsey, also died in the accident. He married Vera Frances Cooper Epperson in December 1969. They moved to Berthoud in January 1999. Mr. McKinsey was of the Roman Catholic faith. He was a life member of the Ralph Lehr Post 6246 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Frank Huntsinger Post 45 of the American Legion in Noblesville. He enjoyed watching college and professional sports and following the Noblesville and Anderson high school teams. Mr. McKinsey is survived by his wife, Vera McKinsey of Berthoud, a son, Michael McKinsey and wife Sue of Indianapolis; two daughters; Mary Grace McKinsey Whitcomb and husband Robert of Suwanee, Ga., and Paula Jo Riley of Mooresville, Ind.; a stepson, John M. Epperson and wife Shirley of Berthoud; two brothers, Leslie McKinsey and wife Nicki of Durbin, Ind., and Albert McKinsey and wife Peggy of Crawfordsville, Ind.; a sister, Frances Endicott and husband Joe of Arcadia, Fla.; a brother-in-law, John M. Cooper of Anderson; a sister-in-law, Helen McKinsey of Durango; four grandchildren, three step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He also was preceded in death by his stepfather, Robert Booth, a brother, Herbert McKinsey, and a grandson, Taylor Kevin Whitcomb. A prayer service was held Wednesday at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel in Longmont. The Rev. Joseph Hartmann, of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland, officiated. Visitation will be Friday evening at Randall and Roberts Funeral Home in Noblesville. Military graveside services by the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Cicero Cemetery. - thanks to Jeff S.