Freeport

Ann McKinney, age 93, passed away peacefully with family at her side, Friday, March 19, 2021 in Freeport, IL from natural causes. Ann was born December 3, 1927 in Litchfield, IL to Brice and Viola (Sundstrom) Kennedy. She moved to Shelbyville, IL in 1939 where she learned "what it was like to live during the Great Depression and World War II". She was a proud member of the Class of '45 and graduated from Shelbyville High School. She attended Eastern Illinois College majoring in History and United States Government.

She was married to Willis "Mac" McKinney for 35 years, and widowed in January 2013. Ann was a member of the Methodist Church for over 75 years. She served as a Sunday school teacher in Charleston, Mt. Auburn, Galena and Stockton, and also served as a board member and Sunday school superintendent, leading Bible school in several of these communities. She enjoyed teaching 5th grade in Galena and working as a librarian in Stockton. For 36 years, Ann was associated with the bus tour industry. As a tour director, she visited the 50 states, six continents and more than 25 countries. Ann enjoyed music. She studied piano for 12 years, played trumpet in the school band, and sang in the church choir. She belonged to Daughters of the American Revolution, Veterans Women's Auxiliary, and the Girl Scouts.

Ann liked driving and would travel cross-country to visit her family at a moment's notice. She lived for her family get-togethers, filled with love and laughter: the 3-day Easter weekends, the family Christmas celebrations, and being with her children on their birthdays. Ann enjoyed reading, hiking, rockhounding, scrapbooking, and collecting Native American artifacts and jewelry. She was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls and had a large collection of Michael Jordan memorabilia. Ann loved to meet new people and travel, stopping along the way at any and all garage sales. It has been said that when an older person dies, it's as if a library has burned down. Ann had so many stories to tell.

Ann loved the Lord, family, friends, and her church. As a lifelong Christian, she will be buried in the Ramsey, IL cemetery among many dear family members. She was preceded in death by her beloved and wonderful parents; brother, John Brice Kennedy; sister, Dorothy Parkison Willson; daughter-in-law, Brenda Joyce McKinney; grandson, Matthew Lewis McKinney, and nephew Joseph Kennedy Parkison.

Surviving are Ann's "5 Bs": Brice, Bruce, Brenda Ann, Brad and Bridget (Martino); in-laws: Cheryl, Marguerite, Connie and Vito; thirteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; nephews and nieces; and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Shelbyville, on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Shelbyville, where Ann first became a member in 1940. Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home in Rochelle, IL. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.