LITTLESTOWN, PA – Kenneth "Ken" B. McKinney, 88, of Littlestown, PA, formerly of Cumberland, MD, died Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the home of his son in Littlestown, PA.

Born December 19, 1935, in Allegany County, MD, he was the son of the late Edward B. and Nellie I. (Cunningham) McKinney. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Shirley; a son, Steven E. McKinney; three brothers, Raymond E., William H., and Donald J. McKinney; and a sister, Dorothy H. Skidmore.

Mr. McKinney was retired from the Allegany County Board of Education where he served as a science teacher and as Supervisor of Instructional Material. He served as Honeybee Inspector for the Department of Agriculture, after retirement, in 1991, he worked at the Scarpelli Funeral Home for 23 years.

He graduated from Allegany High School and received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degree from Frostburg University. He did graduate work at the University of Maryland, Western Maryland College, and Broward Community College in Florida.

Mr. McKinney began his science teaching career in Prince George's County in 1959. He returned to teach at his alma mater, Allegany High School. Ken also taught at Braddock Middle School, Fort Hill High School, and in Broward County, Florida.

He was a member of the Grace Memorial Community Church where he had served as a trustee, a deacon, and was active in the music program and other church activities.

He played in a number of orchestras in Cumberland and in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ken appeared on the Ted Mack Show on national television with the "Dixie Kats" band in 1955. In later life, Ken moved to Littlestown, PA.

Ken enjoyed the outdoors, wildlife, hunting, fishing, raising Jack Russell Terriers, and riding his mule, Dakota, in the mountains.

He played a number of musical instruments. Ken played music from the time he was in high school.

He dearly loved his wife and family and was very proud of his sons and grandchildren. Ken assisted his wife, Shirley, in conducting a Parkinson's Support Group for a number of years. Ken and Shirley volunteered at the Western Maryland Health System as Patient Advocates and at the Information Desk and served with his second wife, O'Nile, as prayer warriors at the hospital. His band, "Summer Wind", played music for many years, and in later years, provided music at a number of nursing homes. He played the bagpipes for many funerals and activities in the tristate area.

Surviving is his second wife, O'Nile Bean McKinney; son, Mark A. McKinney and wife Lisa, Littlestown, PA; four grandchildren, Bryce McKinney and wife Bonnie, and their daughter, Mara, of Catonsville, MD, Lana Manning and husband Kyle, and their sons, Aaron, Caleb, and Zachary, and their daughter, Lorelai, of Marriottsville, MD, Cameron McKinney and wife Jenny, of Frederick, MD, Philip McKinney and wife Elizabeth, and their sons, Thomas and Joseph, of Manchester, MD; daughter-in-law, Kimberly McKinney and her son, Corey Shelton and his children, Bentley, Hayden and Charlotte who are Ken's great-grandchildren, Charleston, SC; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 15205 McMullen Hwy SW, Cresaptown, MD on Monday, April 29, 2024, from 11am to 1pm. A funeral and committal service will immediately follow at the funeral home with Chaplain Bruce McBride officiating.

At the request of Mr. McKinney, his body will be cremated after the services.