Services for Lorene McKinnis, age 95, of Blair, who died Sept. 25, 2021, will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday Sept. 30 at 11 a.m.. Graveside services will follow in the Blair Cemetery. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m., at Reach Church (formerly Country Bible). Visitation will be held Wednesday Sept. 29 with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blair.
Lorene was born to Charlie (C.J.) and Clara (Phipps) McKee in Decatur on Sept. 22, 1926. She attended school at Decatur Public High, Wayne State Teachers College and the Chicago Accounting School. Lorene married E. Ivan McKinnis on Jan. 27, 1945. To this union four children were born Patricia (Pat), Sandra (Sandy), Jonathan (John) and Michelle.
During her lifetime she taught at Ball School at Decatur, worked at Mead Ordinance Plant in Mead, as a bookkeeper for Blair Implement, Washington Co. Motors, manager at the Hospital Auxiliary store, Night Audit and Front Desk Clerk at Blair Super 8 Motel, her last job was as a receptionist at Crowell Memorial Home. Lorene also owned and operated Lorene’s Ceramics and taught porcelain doll classes in Blair. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, spending time with her family and friends, and crocheting lap robes, prayer shawls, and hats for premature babies at Memorial Community Hospital. Over the years she made countless afghans for her children and grandchildren.
Lorene is survived by her children, Pat Williby, Sandy (Ron) Shubert, John McKinnis; and friend Sharon Morgan, Michelle Campbell; grandchildren, Les Williby, Shelly Andreasen, Leland (Susie) Shubert, Kris (Nikki) Shubert, Brent (Tanya) Shubert, Michael (Heather) McKinnis, Patrick McKinnis and Duncan Campbell; 19 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren, along with one niece, two nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father; mother; sister, Berniece; and brother in law, Kenneth Anderson; niece, Karen Jenkins; brother, Charles McKee; and sister in law Lois; son in law, Gary Williby; grandson in law, Andy Andreasen; and great grandson Greyson Shubert.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Blair Fire and Rescue Squad.
