Thomas N. McKee
Thomas N. McKee, 77, North Manchester, Ind., died at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind.
He was born July 29, 1935, in Huntington, Ind., to Francis D. “Jake” and Mildred M. (Michael) McKee. He graduated from Central High School in 1953 and served in the U.S. Army 1953-1955. On July 28, 1957, he married Avon McFarland.
She died Jan. 25, 2012. Tom was a lifelong bricklayer and masonry contractor and retired from Pierceton Trucking Co. after 20 years. In the 1970’s and 1980’s he went to Alaska where he mined for gold and continued brick laying, building schools in the Alaska Tundra.
He was an avid outdoorsman and Chicago Bears fan. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, North Manchester and American Legion Post #286, North Manchester and Deming Lodge #88 F&AM. Tom loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and was a good cook and baker, known for his sourdough bread, pies and communion bread for his church.
He is survived by three daughters: Serita (Dean) Mithoefer, Indianapolis, Ind.; Joy (Bradford) Wagner, Columbia City, Ind.; and Ginger McKee, North Manchester, Ind.; one brother: Richard (Carol) McKee, Silver Lake, Ind.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a great-grandson and three brothers: Jack McKee, Bob McKee and Bill McKee.
Family and friends may call from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at McKee Mortuary, 1401 SR 114 West, North Manchester. Services will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the funeral home. Pastor Ladona Webb will officiate. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester, Ind.
For those who wish to honor the memory of Thomas N. McKee, memorial contributions may be made to Wabash County Cancer Society, PO Box 144, North Manchester, IN 46962.