David McKinley

Minot

David McKinley walked outside of time on Thursday, February 9th, 2023, and entered his forever home in heaven with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

David Earl McKinley was born on August 29, 1934 in Waterloo, Iowa. He was the son of Abner Delmer and Ethel Mae (Mannon) Barber McKinley, and was the youngest of nine children. He was raised in Elk Run, Iowa, and graduated from East Waterloo High in June 1955. David joined the United States Navy in 1952, and was honorably discharged in 1955 with the rank of Seaman.

Following his time in the Navy, David returned to Waterloo, Iowa, where he attended Gates Business College, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. In April 1957 he began work with Nash Finch company where he worked as the office manager.

David married Mae Louise Haeflinger on March 17, 1957, in Waterloo, Iowa. They made their home in Iowa for a short time, and a baby girl named Diane was added to their family. Then Nash Finch company transferred David to Minot, North Dakota, where another baby girl, Sherry, was added to their family. Mae and David raised their girls in Minot, and welcomed several grandchildren along the way and great-grandchildren along the way.

Following the transfer to Minot, David continued to work for Nash Finch company as the Controller until his retirement in April, 1997, after forty years of service.

David was a sports enthusiast. He pitched fast-pitch softball for many years, played slow-pitch softball, won horseshoe tournaments, and was an avid bowler including bowling a perfect 300 game. He enjoyed golfing for fun and in tournaments, and even golfed a couple hole-in-ones. He delighted in teaching his grandchildren how to golf. He was also a hunting enthusiast, a prolific reader, and handled the bookkeeping for several churches in the community.

David loved his Lord Jesus with all his heart, and was active in his church home. He taught several Bible classes over the years and wrote special worship songs that his wife, Mae, translated to music notes and chords for the piano.

Those cherishing his sweet memory include his children: Diane (Alan) Freidt, Minot, and Sherry (Mark) Morrison, Vacaville, California; grandchildren: Amanda Safranski, Levi Freidt, of Minot, and Logan (Maura Holm) Freidt, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Lexi (Abe) Nelson, Roseville, CA, Jordan (Michael) McCollam, Vacaville, CA, Caleb (Mari) Morrison, Sacramento, CA, and Josiah (Adrianna Owens) Morrison, Vacaville, CA; great grandchildren: Luke, Paisley, and Sophie Safranski, Minot, Macie Nelson, Roseville, CA, Kaylee and Jesse McCollam, Vacaville, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mae, and by his parents, Abner and Ethel McKinley, and his half-brothers Orville Barber, George Barber, Charles Barber, Donald Barber, and Harold Barber, his half-sister Martha (Barber) Fuller, and brothers LeRoy and Samuel McKinley.

Service to Honor David McKinley: 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2023, at Journey Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences access his obituary at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND

Visitation: Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home.

Memorials are preferred to KHRT Radio or Youth For Christ.

Published by The Minot Daily News, February 16, 2023.