CLINTON – At 2:15 p.m. on August 14, 2021, Georgia A. (Released) McKinley of Homeland, IL, died peacefully in his sleep while angels were singing her house. At the time of her death, Georgia was living in Liberty Village in Clinton, IL.
Georgia Anne was born on May 31, 1930 to George W. and Anna (Froelich) in their parents’ home, the home of the Belgians in Gridley, IL. She married Harold F. McKinley on November 21, 1948. He died on June 7, 1992.
Two daughters are surviving: Doris (Jack) Galloway of Clinton and Donna (Richard Boyle) McKinley of Phoenix, AZ; two grandchildren: Carmen Plummer of Hudson and Aaron Fields of Lincoln; four great-grandchildren: Isaac and Meara Plummer and Myah and Jayda Fields. The survivors also include two sisters-in-law: Sandra McKinley, El Paso and June Freed, Normal; and many esteemed nieces and nephews.
Georgia, along with her parents and husband, preceded all of her siblings in death; Lynn Freed (died in childhood), Harold Freed, Averil Stevig, Dorothy Sypult, and Allan Freed.
Georgia and Harold were an integral team on their family farm in Waldo Township north of Gridley. Georgia kept the house fires burning with a welcoming, clean home, a sumptuous table of delicious food, and an always open house policy. She worked hard and with joy in her home, vegetable and flower gardens, and large garden. Georgia kept all the accounts for her farm and helped out in the fields when needed or drove the vehicles full of grain to the barns or local elevators. Harold and Georgia lovingly raised two very proud and thankful daughters. As the girls neared junior high school, Georgia saw a real need for a 4-H club in Waldo. She was co-founder and director of the Waldo-Will-Do 4-H Club (Waldo Peppy Clubbers). Georgia and Harold also co-developed and founded Hickory Hill Campground in Secor, IL in 1965. Georgia’s love for Harold was endless and gave him total devotion and care during his final years while battling cancer.
Georgia has always played a very active role in serving others in her church and ward. After Georgia left the farm in 1993 and settled in Homeland in her new life, Georgia became a member of the American Red Cross; Disaster Relief and Blood Donation Coordination Services. She has always felt honored when given the opportunity to help those who faced a variety of disasters. Travel within Illinois and the adjacent 48 states. Georgia was a humble, kind and gentle soul who always showed her loving smile and never missed an opportunity to express her gratitude to everyone. Georgia embodied 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5; “Love is patient, love is kind. She doesn’t envy, she doesn’t brag, she isn’t proud.
The tour will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 12:30 pm at the Calvert Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home in El Paso, IL; The funeral takes place at 2:00 p.m. After the services, Georgia is buried next to Harold in the Waldo Township Cemetery. The service is streamed live on Youtube; on the Calvert Johnson Stream channel.
Instead of flowers, you can donate to one of the following organizations: El Paso Gridley School Foundation; Gridley Emergency Medical Center; American red cross.
Doris and Donna appreciate all of the family and friends who have shown such loving kindness, support and prayers after their mother’s death. They would also like to thank the extended Liberty Village of Clinton staff for their caring and compassion throughout Georgia April 2016 through August 2021.
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