Arlene Virginia McKinley was born May 31, 1934 to Leroy Alba "Radio" and Clara Van Hoveln Allen in Milford.
She passed away at her home in Milford on January 12, 2013.


Arlene was married to Ira Leonard "Mac" McKinley on June 27, 1953 in Crescent City. Mac preceded her in death on September 6, 2009.

She is survived by 5 children: Virginia (Wayne) Lee of Milford; Curtis (Debra) McKinley of Sheldon; Marjorie (Randall) Warden of Fort Wayne, IN; Connie (Bill) Bretzman of Chebanse; and Ronald (Karen) McKinley of Milford; two sisters, Judith (Harold) Heeren of Caledona, IL and Mary (Eilert) Buhr of Milford; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy McKinley of Alva, OK, Rosalee Martin of Watseka and Mary Hilliyer of Essex; 13 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Other than her husband, Arlene was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Vernon; and one sister, Sylvia Mumm Malone.


Arlene went to Clifton School District #172, Bryce Ash Grove District #284 and Milford High School. She worked at Nachman's and was a floor supervisor at Howard's Industries for many years. She purchased The Dixie Cloth Shop in 1979 and sold it in 2011. She was known for her quilting all over the country. Many have a quilt that she either pieced together, designed or quilted.

Arlene loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to take the kids fishing for catfish and minnows. She was an avid gardener. She had dozens of flower gardens and her specialty was growing geraniums. She had a huge selection of them and was very proud of them.

She was a strong Republican and was very willing to talk politics with anyone. Arlene loved genealogy research. She was not afraid to call up total strangers to glean any kind of family history she could get.

Arlene especially loved her dog, Princess and 2 cats, Mr. Chips and Cinnamon.


Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until the 7:00 p.m. funeral service on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Knapp Funeral Home in Milford. Rev. Neil Larimore will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at Sugar Creek Cemetery in Stockland.
Memorials may be made to the Iroquois County Historical Society, the Iroquois County Genealogy Society or the donor's choice.