First Posted: 4/5/2011
GahannaRoberta June Manges McKinney, 84, died peacefully in her sleep April 4, 2011, at Sunrise Assisted Living, Gahanna.She was born June 27, 1926, in Hancock County to Byron and Mary Lehman Manges, who preceded her in death. On June 4, 1950, she married Donovan Ewing McKinney, who died April 3, 2007.Mrs. McKinney grew up on the family farm. She was involved in 4-H and traveled to Chicago to represent Ohio in a national 4-H event. She was a lifelong lover of music and received her bachelor’s degree in music and education from Bluffton College. She taught music in grades one through 12, band and choir, and directed musicals. It was in school where she met her husband. They lived most of their lives in Columbus and were blessed with children and a loving marriage. Her husband was an assistant to the superintendent of Southwestern City Schools, and she cared for their home and children. She was proficient in piano, voice, and cello and played in the Jewish Center orchestra in Bexley. She instilled a positive outlook on life and shared her skills of cooking and clothes making. Her love of music has been passed down to several generations and will remain an essential memory of her, along with her sense of humor, the love of her family and family gatherings, The Ohio State University Buckeyes and a special fondness for sweets. Her children and grandchildren will cherish her memory and are grateful that she and her husband are finally reunited. She had lived the last five years at Sunrise Assisted Living.Survivors include four children, Joyce Lyday, of Rome, Ga., Jean (Chris) Jones, of Columbus, Janice (Greg) Adams, of Springfield, and Donovan Robert (Joan) McKinney, of Columbus; nine grandchildren, Jonathan (Linda) Lyday, Beth (Jess) Hinshaw, James Lyday, Bobby Jones, Tommy Jones, Theodore Adams, Jane Adams, Molly McKinney and Ellie McKinney; a great-granddaughter, Emily Mae Lyday; her younger sister, Marilyn (Ron) Heldman, of Bluffton; her younger brother, Dean (Sue) Manges, of Ottawa; and a sister-in-law, Pat McKinney, of Cridersville; and several wonderful nieces and nephews. She was very recently preceded in death by her oldest sister, Myda Jane Badertscher.Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Chiles-Laman Funeral Homes, Bluffton. The Rev. Kevin Mohr will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada.Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.Condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
