Joyce V. McKinley
Joyce Virginia (Widup) McKinley, 88, lifelong resident and business woman from Winamac, passed away at her home on Friday, Aug. 15.
She was born at her parents’ home in Winamac on Sept. 25, 1936 and raised by her maternal grandparents. Joyce was a proud alumnae of Winamac High School, graduating with the class of 1954. On Sept. 20, 1968, she married Charles L. “Charlie” McKinley at the First Christian Church in Winamac. Together, they owned and operated McKinley Monuments in Winamac for 40 years. In their retirement years, Joyce and Charlie traveled all over the United States and Europe. On July 5, 2020, Charlie went home to be with the Lord. We are comforted to know that they are reunited again in their Heavenly home.
Throughout her life, Joyce was an active member of the community. She enjoyed making a difference wherever she could and did so with humility and hard work. Joyce was a member of the Winamac Alumni Association where she served as president as well as historian (tracking obituaries). She was also a member of the Winamac American Legion Post #71 Auxiliary and the Winamac VFW Post #1728 Auxiliary. Joyce was a 50-year member of the Crystal OES #165 (formerly Tippecanoe OES #96) having served as Past Worthy Matron (9 times), Past Deputy for District 17 (1988-1989) and as a Grand Representative to Nebraska. In 2020, she received her Award of Gold.
Joyce was a beloved member of the First Christian Church in Winamac where she served as a Deaconess and on the funeral dinner committee. She also was a member of the now defunct Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF). In 2024, she was recognized as a Deacon Emeritus, honoring her many years of dedication to the First Christian Church.
Joyce was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the little ones and was always showing off pictures of them at church. Joyce also enjoyed spending time with her friends and church family. Whether she was at a school function, Sunday worship, or Warrior Café, Joyce was always a ray of sunshine that brightened your day. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by daughter Kathleen J. Crist, Winamac; son Charles Michael [Debra] Needham, Logansport; daughter-in-law Cathy Needham, Springfield, Missouri; step-daughters: Catherine M. McKinley, Naples, Florida and Susanna C. McKinley, South Bend; step-son Daniel L. [Anna] McKinley, Winamac; grandsons: John F. Crist, Jacob M. [Katrina] Crist, Nathanial [Kristine] Needham, Chad Bebee, Matthew [Ashley] Needham and Daniel L. McKinley II; granddaughters: Laura J. [Andrew] Bates, Alicia [Jeff] Stankard, Ann Marie Bebee, Lisa [Sean] Allen, Melissa [Brandon] Shatto, Amber [Trevor] Pool, Celie McKinley, Allison McKinley Jones, Andrea [Jeremy] Williams; 29 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; brothers: Robert M. Widup, Winamac, John Joseph [Cheryl] Widup, Valparaiso, B. Karl [Jeanne] Widup, Rohnert Park, California and William C.R. [Deborah] Widup, Winamac; sister-in-law Kathy Widup, Kingwood, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by maternal grandparents: Ethel and Robert Johnson; parents: Harold W. “Bud” and Virginia M. (Johnson) Widup; husband Charles L. “Charlie” McKinley; son James W. Needham; son-in-law Roy Crist; sister Kay Widup; brother George Widup; and former husband Charles R. Needham.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Eastern Star Services will be held at 8 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, with Pastor Stephen Sundquist officiating.
Burial will take place at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Winamac or Heart To Heart Hospice.
Online tributes may be made at www.frainmortuary.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
(Pulaski County Journal — Aug. 20, 2025)