Homer McKinley

SCOTT CITY - Homer King McKinley, 84, died Dec. 2, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Born Dec. 1, 1918, in Cookville, Tenn., son of the late Homer Lee and Daisy Jared McKinley, he retired as a self-employed carpenter. He was a member of the Illmo Baptist Church and VFW Post 6407 in Scott City. McKinley served in the U.S. Army 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Division in World War II and completed basic training at Camp Roberts, Calif. His service included Australia through New Guinea to the Philippines. McKinley fought at Buna when the 32nd became the first American Division to launch an offensive against the Japanese in New Guinea. The Division was awarded a Presidential citation and the right to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge, the only award worn over the right uniform pocket. He also fought in the Ormoc Corridor on Leyte and the Villa Verde Trail in the Caraballo Mountains of Northern Luzon. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge.

On June 23, 1946, in Sikeston, he married Betty Jo Gentry who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two sons, Ronald McKinley of Jackson and Dennis McKinley of Scott City; one daughter, Judy Rolwing of Charleston; and six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren.

Six brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City, where services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday. The Rev. Dennis Bell will officiate.

The Missouri Honors Team will conduct full military rites at Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston.