Emma McKinley

Emma (Zeller) McKinley

            Our merciful Lord and Savior welcomed Emma home June 11, 2007, she was 86.  She had been a resident of the Presbyterian Manor diagnosed with Alzheimer type vascular dementia in 1999.

            Emma Catherine Scheetz was born September 13, 1920 in Sheridan County the eighth child of John and Rosa Dickman Scheetz.  She attended Sheridan County schools, and Marymount College in Salina.  She received her Bachelor’s in Education at Washburn University in 1965.

            Emma taught in Sheridan County, St. Marys, Kansas and retired from the Auburn Washburn School District in Topeka.

            She married Joseph Herman Zeller October 28, 1946, they were divorced in 1973 after almost 15 years of separation.  She married Orval McKinley in 1973, they were divorced in 1978.

            Emma was very active in volunteering in the Topeka community.  She was an active member of the Assumption Catholic Church, Friends of Hospice, and St. Francis Hospital, volunteering approximately 4,000 hours at St. Francis.  The family would like to thank all the loving caregivers from the Presbyterian Manor and Heart of America Hospice, God Bless each one of you.

            Survivors are Emma’s four daughters (Zeller), and their families:  Jim and Mary Mirowski, Ft. Collins, Colorado; Jerry and Connie Townsend, Topeka; David and Marlene Franklin, Kansas City; Kathy Jones, Overbrook, Nine grandchildren:  Jodie Mirowski, Billie Mirowski, Richard Mirowski, Jennifer (Townsend) Herman, Benjamin Townsend, Ted Wainright, Randy Wainright, Gabe Smith and Joey Harris.  Six great grandchildren:  Mackenzie OBrian, Kennedy and Chase Mirowski, Shadow Walling, Rebecca Townsend and Calli Herman.

Ms. McKinley will lie in state at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday where a Parish Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Mater Dei’s Assumption church.  Graveside Services will be held on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery in Oakley, Kansas complying with the deceased’s wishes.  Out of respect the family has requested closed casket for both services.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Mater Dei’s Assumption Catholic Church, 204 W. 8th, Topeka, 66612 or the Presbyterian Manor, 4712 SW 6th, Topeka, 66606, Heart of America Hospice, 3715 SW 29th, Topeka, 66614 or E.W.T.N., 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, Alabama, 35210...