Darrell Grant McKinney, 72, of Pioneer, Ohio, passed away Tuesday November 24, 2020 at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was born on July 9, 1948 in Tecumseh, Michigan to Gilbert Dale and Norma Ellav (Black) McKinney.
He joined the Marine Corps April 21, 1966 and was honorably discharged April 21, 1969. He was a decorated Vietnam Veteran who earned the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and a Purple Heart Medal
Darrell married his wife of 51 years, Reynalda Anna Salinas, in Rockville, Maryland April 17, 1969. They have two children, Robert and Holly.
Darrell lived in Bryan, Ohio with his family for fifteen years and during that time he was employed as an office machine service technician. He joined the Pioneer Police Force in 1986 as a reserve officer and was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police in 1989, at which time he moved his family to Pioneer where he lived until his death. He served on the force for eighteen years. After leaving the police force, he worked at Defiance Metal Products until his retirement in December 2013.
Darrell was a lifetime member of the Pioneer VFW and a member of the Montpelier Loyal Order of the Moose.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Norma; half-brother Leo; brother Mervin; sister-in-law Mauri.
He is survived by his wife, Reynalda; two children, son – Robert Nolan McKinney and wife Jodi of Ontario, Canada and daughter – Holly Lynn Hughes and husband Jay Todd, of Onalaska, Texas; grandchildren, Elizabeth Paige Shively, Jaron Philip Hughes, Brayson Hunter Hughes, and Case Alan Hughes; two great grandchildren, Addison Lily Hughes and Jaron Philip Hughes, Junior. He is also survived by three brothers, Gilbert (Gayle); Earl (Joanna); and Bruce; and two sisters, Jessana San Pedro and Kathy (Lance) Pentland; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A time to receive friends will take place on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home in Pioneer. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Darrell will be laid to rest at Lenawee Hills Memorial Cemetery in Tecumseh, MI. Military honors will be presented by the Pioneer Veterans. Those wishing to attend services are asked to bide by state mandated mask wearing and social distancing recommendations.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to either the Williams County Veteran’s Memorial, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or Moose Charities. Condolences can be left for the family at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com.