Obituary: Pastor Clarence "C.E." McKinley

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In memory of

Pastor Clarence "C.E." McKinley

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 95

Clarence Everett McKinley, Jr. was born June 27, 1916, on a ranch near Seneca, Nebraska, the only son of Clarence Everett, Sr. and Mary (Bohimer) McKinley. He grew up near Seneca and graduated from Seneca High School in 1934. At the age of 12, a traveling evangelist came to town and he and his family dedicated their lives to Jesus Christ. This was the defining moment in his life. After graduation, he went to Bible School in Eugene, Oregon. During his first year, his father, back on the ranch, got very sick and Clarence had to return to the ranch. After a year and a half, his father recovered and Clarence became the pastor in Dunning, Nebraska. In 1942, he came to pastor the Open Bible Church in Midland and never left. In the late 40’s he started the C.E. McKinley Insurance Agency which he ran until retirement.
In 1946, Clarence was united in marriage to Arlene Beck, and to this union were born two sons, Dallas and LaVay. They made their home in Midland all their married life.
Clarence is survived by his wife of 67 years, Arlene of Midland; two sons Dallas McKinley and his wife Kaye of Midland, and LaVay McKinley and his wife Susie of Midland; five grandchildren Matthew of Cayman Brac, Gabrielle of Mitchell, Dallas “Terrill” and his wife Sarah of Pierre, Autumn Mann and her husband Jeff of Pierre, and Zachary McKinley and his wife Jessica of Pierre; nine great-grandchildren Caleb, Seth, Judah, Levi and Aaron McKinley, Malachi and Abigail Mann, and David and Anna McKinley; his brother-in-law and best friend, Harry Crawford of Washington, Missouri; seven nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters Mary Jane McIntosh, Elizabeth McIntosh, and Grace Crawford; and a nephew John McIntosh.
Visitation was held one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 9, at the Open Bible Church in Midland with Clarence’s grandson, Pastor Dallas McKinley officiating. Interment was at the Midland Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 208, Midland, SD 57552.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 10:00 a.m.
Open Bible Standard Church
Midland, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Dallas McKinley
Pastor Andrew Blye
MUSIC
Sarah McKinley - “I Can Only Imagine”
Clarence’s Great-Grandchildren -
“What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
Jeff Mann - “Amazing Grace”
USHERS
Shorty Woitte - Richard Doud
PALLBEARERS
Seth McKinley - Caleb McKinley
Wylie Schwalm - Paul TerMeer
Leslie Crawford - Ron Doud
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

Visitation: one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 9, at the Open Bible Church in Midland
Interment: Midland Cemetery.

Sign the guestbook

Dear Arlene, Dallas, LaVay and all,
C. E. was true in faith, friendship and counsel. His impact on this earth for Jesus is not to be measured by men! And his memory will be treasured by me and my family till we each enter eternity ourselves. God has indeed blessed your family and CE's long life will ehco this blessing for years to come. May God comfort you each one in this earthly loss and may each of our longings for a Heavenly home increase with anticipation of reunion. God bless you all till we meet again. Dan and Sarah Carlson ~ Pastor Daniel Carlson PO Box 20403, Colorado City, CO 81019 (2/3/2012)
Can't help but keep thinking of the hymn "Precious Memories" I have known and loved Rev. CE and Sister McKinley for almost all my years. From my childhood to marriage, and on. We are so blessed to have them in our life. God bless you his family as you carry on the legacy. Ernie & Laurel ~ Ernie & Laurel Nemec Midland (2/3/2012)
C.E. will always be one of the most influential people in my life. He impacted our family's life in the most significant way--- ETERNALLY! Over the years we have been blessed because of his presence, preaching, leading, and friendship. I'm so grateful He followed God's leading to find the Midland Open Bible Church. I always loved hearing his insights, singing, and holy murmurs and praising. I just wish I could hear and see him experiencing the greatness and beauty of heaven and all the saints welcoming him. I'm very disappointed that I probably won't be able to make it home for the funeral but please know I will be thinking of you and celebrating with you. Lots of love to Mrs. McKinley and all of you! "I am a life that was changed." ~ Becky (Nemec) , Rob & Josiah Thompson Sioux Falls, SD (2/3/2012)
Sister McKinley,Dallas and Kaye and Family, LaVay and Family,
I want to extend my sympathy to all of you. CE was very proud of his family.He had a GREAT influence on my life.
I never heard him speak a bad word about anyone.He was a true Christian.He always encouraged me in everything I did.I always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed by all of us. ~ Robert S. Evans Midland SD (2/3/2012)
Mr. McKinley's smile and faith have been an example and encouragement to everyone in our family. He is a hero of faith to so many of us. In his own words, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." We celebrate his home coming and send our love to Mrs. McKinley and to all of his family. ~ Kent & Sandy Bowers Brazil (2/3/2012)
Sister McKinley,Dallas and Kaye, LaVay and Families,
Brother McKinley had a GREAT influence in my life. CE and Arlene always took us to Church camp.He has been a wonderful Christian example to our whole family. I sometimes wonder where I would be today if I had not experienced the love and teaching from CE and the Open Bible church family. He not only talked the talk but he walked the walk. He will be missed! But not forgotten.
See you Thursday! ~ Verona Evans Midland SD (2/3/2012)
To the McKinley families, you are in our hearts & prayers during this time. CE was an amazing man who lived what he preached. Knowing that he is in heaven with his blessed Lord & Savior & in the arms of Jesus, knowing that he is rejoicing with the other saints & getting to see Jesus face to face. What a true man of God & he has left such a legacy to all that knew him. It was because of him that I accepted the Lord. The love of God always shown from his face & he always had a kind word for everyone he met. He was such an influece & had an incredible impact on so many lives. If we only follow in his footsteps and live the example that he lived how many more lives will come to the Lord because of CE's ministry. What a giant in the Kingdom of God, so much like Billy Graham, Smith Wigglesworth, & so many of the other greats. CE we will miss you greatly but will see you "over yonder" some day. ~ Sandra (Lee) & Jack Nantais Centerville, SD (2/3/2012)
Thoughts and prayers to you at this difficult time. God Bless you with happy memories. ~ Kathy Larson LaDue Anamosa, IA (2/3/2012)
Our love and prayers to everyone. Uncle Clarence was truly a Man of God. He was and always will be an inspiration to all of us. We know he is with the Lord and enjoying that heavenly fellowship. We are comforted in knowing that we will be with him again someday and all those who put their faith and trust in the Lord as he did.Our memories of his kindness and helpfulness will be with us always. We were blessed for having been a part of his life. ~ Dan, Mary and Zachary Willard Mansfield, Ohio (2/3/2012)
Our prayers are with you all. In your sorrow and loss, we pray that you will also rejoice in a life well lived. There is no doubt in my mind that this man of God has been greeted with the affirmation, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." ~ Beverly (Rhodes) Ramich Lakewood, CO (2/3/2012)
Pastor Dallas and family - our love and prayers to you all. What a legacy your grandfather left behind. Blessings of peace and grace to you.

Dan, Tammy, and Family ~ Dan Varns Pierre, SD (2/3/2012)
Grandpa McKinley. What a precious man that radiated the Sweet Spirit of God . He lives now in Heaven forever young and I look forward to that day when I can see our Lord, my precious Colt and our Grandpa Mckinley. ~ Kathy Gunderson Pierre South Dakota (2/3/2012)
Dear McKinley families,

What a treasure Pastor McKinley was. Never heard a complaint. Bill first remembers him when he was a little boy. We have missed the Midland Open Bible Church and the fellowship until we came here and our church is like Midland. Our pastor and his wife were here this evening and we were talking about Pastor McKinley and his influence on so many. We know he well deserves the peace and joy of Heaven and someday soon we'll meet again. Our prayers are with you all as you will miss him so very much. Love Bill and Connie Lee ~ Bill and Connie Lee 4610 Parsons Rd. Springdale, AR 72764 (2/3/2012)
To Mrs. McKinley and family,

C. E. was a good friend and boss. He stood like a rock in the storms of life. A great example to us all. For Donna and Judie he was a loved member of the Open Bible Church when we would attend with our Grandmother Helen Ostlien and Grandfather Johnny. He was a patient man and always good hearted. We will always remember him with love.
Dale and Dollie Ostlien
Judie Ostlien
Donna Ostlien Ramos and Family
Mrs. Kelly Ostlien and Family
and Hellen Ostlien of Phillip SD ~ Dale Ostlien Abilene, TX (2/3/2012)
To Dalla, Kaye, and Family;

I am sorry to hear about the recent passing of C.E. I have fond memories of him either from visiting the insurance office with my father or a casual stop along the fence line near Bad River to have a conversation. I will remember his love for life, animals, playing basketball in the alley and the stories he told me about James Nelson and Ingual Nelson when I was younger. May God bless you with his grace during this time. ~ Justin Nelson Durant, Iowa (2/3/2012)