Obituary

On September 21, 2021, Judith Evelyn (Pierce) McKinley, 74, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully at her home in Huntertown, Indiana, following a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Judy was born in Washington, DC to Edward and Gladys (Schoener) Pierce, the youngest of two children.

She graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attended Greensboro College in North Carolina to earn her bachelor's degree in Music Education. Judy worked for Thrapp & Thrapp Law Office and Yoder & Kraus Attorneys at Law, both in Kendallville, Indiana.

Judy married Michael McKinley in 1972 and they resided in Manassas & Annandale, Virginia, prior to moving to Kendallville where they lived for 40 years.

Judy loved to travel, and she and Michael enjoyed many trips to destinations around the world. She also loved Broadway musicals, a love she passed on to her family by attending shows and performing together. Judy had a beautiful singing voice she used not only on stage but also for singing with and directing choirs.

Her bravery and strength during her battle with cancer was an inspiration to her family and also the many nurses, doctors, and other cancer patients she met along the way.

Judy is survived by her husband of 49 years, Michael; their daughters, Kathryn (Dave) Lemish of Huntertown and Jessica (Chad) Hillegass of Fort Wayne; her four precious grandchildren, Nora and Amelia Lemish and Ethan and Gabriel Hillegass; and her brother, Ranny (Donna) Pierce of Teaneck, New Jersey.

A celebration of life will be hosted by the family at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Visiting Nurse of Fort Wayne or the Fort Wayne Children's Choir.

Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com