Virginia A. McKinley

Virginia A. McKinley, 88, of Little Swan Lake Avon, IL passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday March 1, 2017 at 6:35 p.m. at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Center, Peoria, IL.

Virginia was born in Macomb, IL on Saturday, February 16, 1929, the only child of Frank and Reva (Kilgore) Clugsten.  She married William Chester McKinley on May 4, 1947.  He preceded her in death on September 14, 1990.

She is survived by her children Stephanie McKinley-Miller, Christie (Tim) Butler, Philip Wm (David) McKinley and Patrick (Kay) McKinley, all of Avon, IL; six grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Virginia was always active with family and in her community.  She graduated from Avon High School in 1946 and still enjoyed monthly outings with her high school friends.  She, her parents, husband and son, pat owned and operated Avon Motor Sales for over 50 years.  She was the Avon Village Clerk for over 12 years and operated her own accounting firm last working in January 2017.

She was proud to be the first woman elected to the Avon School Board and the local bank board.  She served on the board of the Avon Federated Church, Avon Library, Avon Businessmen’s Association, Avon Woman’s Club, Avon Fire Department Auxiliary, Avon Cemetery Association, and Little Swan Lake Sanitary District.  For many years, she co-directed plays in the Avon school district and kept score for the basketball teams for over 20 years even for her great-granddaughter’s Havana Basketball team.  She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, trivia, knitting, crocheting and quilting (especially with Paula).  She spent lots of time attending music and sporting events with her family members.  She was proud of all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s accomplishments.  She enjoyed having family birthday parties and dinners.  Family and friends were always welcome at her lake home but do not sit on the dining room chairs in a wet bathing suit.  There was always room for one more at the dinner table even when she may have cooked everything “10 Minutes On High”.

Funeral services will be on Monday March 6^th 2017 at the Avon Federated Church, Avon, IL, 10:30 a.m.  Cremation rites to follow the service.  A visitation will be on Sunday March 5, 2017 at the Avon Federated Church Avon, IL from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Avon Federated Church, Avon Public Library, or the Avon Elementary Library reading is fundamental program.  Please sign the online guestbook at www.wisefamily-hooverhall.com. Wise Family Funeral Homes Roseville, IL are in charge of the arrangements.