Leona Ellen McKinney

Leona Ellen McKinney 88, of Mexico, died at 7:30 am, Monday, October 22, 2012, at Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Pickering Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.



Leona was born on March 19, 1924, in Columbia, the daughter of Nathan Glasgow and Myrtis Ethel (Glasscock) Rippeto. She served in the US Army Air Force during World War II from 1944 - 1945. On August 17, 1945, in Rockville, Md., she married Gayle Roger McKinney, who preceded her in death October 1, 2001.

Leona loved to play cards and bingo and spend time with her family. She was a member of the Women's Veterans Association

She is survived by one daughter, Barbara J. McKinney, St. Charles, two sons, Ronald G. McKinney and wife Vicki of Mexico, and Stanley E. McKinney and wife Alice of Pensacola, Fla.; two sisters-in-laws, Ruth Rippeto of Mexico, and Betty Rippeto of Archie, Mo.; and three grandchildren, Nathan and John McKinney of Pensacola, Fla., and Rachel Brooner and husband Matt of Durham, N.C., and a good and special friend Doe Fort of Mexico.

In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and seven sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Missouri Veteran's Home Residents Fund or AMC Charitable Foundation. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.