Judge Gary F. McKinley, 78, of Marysville, formerly of Richwood, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning October 2, 2018 at the Memorial Hospital in Marysville.
He was the longest presiding judge of the Union County Probate and Juvenile Court, having served for 24 years from 1979 to 2003. Since his retirement in 2003, he remained active by accepting assignments from the Ohio Supreme Court.
Judge McKinley was born and raised in Richwood to the late Frank T. and Pauline (Jerew) McKinley. After graduating from Richwood High School, he went to Otterbein College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. After a year in the Economics Master’s program at OSU, he went to Ohio Northern Law School and after graduation, was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1966. He then returned to Union County to practice law and also served as Prosecuting Attorney from 1973 to 1979. He was a member of the Union County Bar Association, the Ohio Association of Probate and Juvenile Judges, as well as many Masonic organizations.
Judge McKinley is survived by his wife, Mary, whom he married on July 22, 2000; their children, Eric (Christine) McKinley, LeAnn Jolliff, Jerry (Rachel) Gauchat, Roxanne (Carl) Lowe, Pamela O’Hara; their grandchildren, Jacob Strait, Keith Schlotterback, Derick Jolliff, Tyler Wall, Trevor (Abigail) Wall, Brenna Gauchat, Milena Gauchat, Brady Lowe, Hailey Lowe, Cristy (Buck) Williams, Michael Gauchat, Brandi Williams, Eugene Goodlow, Johnny O’Hara; and their great grandchildren, Jordan Wall, Gabriella Wall, Raeleigh Gunter. He is also survived by his brother, Rex (Phyllis) McKinley; his sister, Diane Johnson; his nephews/niece, Russ McKinley, Clint McKinley, Jeff Martin, Michele (Russ) Moore; his great nieces/nephews, Caitlyn McKinley, Ryan McKinley, Elton McKinley, Aubrey (Garrett) Talmage, Colin Moore; great, great niece/nephew Juniper Talmage, Quinn Talmage; and numerous close friends including Joe (Jenny) Float, Greg Nixon, Dave (Vanessa) Crisp and Bob Maxwell.
Friends may call Sunday, October 7, 2018 from 2-6 pm at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in Richwood, where there will be Masonic Services conducted by the Palastine Lodge #158 F. & A. M. Funeral services will be held Monday at noon at the funeral home in Richwood, friends may also call one hour prior to the service beginning at 11:00 am, Pastor Joseph Rhea will officiate and burial will follow in the Claibourne Cemetery
Memorial contributions in Judge McKinley’s memory may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 3229 Burnet Ave. Cincinnati OH 45229
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
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