GREGORY WAYNE MCKINLEY

Gregory Wayne McKinley, age 57, of Peru and a former Columbia City resident passed away at 9:00 p.m. Sunday, August 18, 2013 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne. Born on November 30, 1955 in Winchester, he was the son of James Melvin and Vonne Ann (Hoover) McKinley.

He was raised in Columbia City and graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1974. He received a business degree from International Business College, Fort Wayne. Greg spent his adult lifetime in the Wabash and Peru areas, working for 36 years at Farm Cooperative System, as an Energy Products and Services Administrator. He was also co owner of B & G Music, Peru. For many years he was a sport broadcaster for Peru High School sports programs. He was a member of First Church of God, Columbia City. He enjoyed providing D.J. music for weddings and events, all sporting events and coaching baseball and girls softball. He was an avid college and high school basketball fan and supporter.

Survivors include his parents, James and Vonne McKinley of Columbia City; sisters, Andrea "Andy" (Matthew) Forrester of Madison; Marsha (Ron) Vermilion of Marion; nephews and nieces, who fondly referred to Greg as "Uncle Moose"; Andrew and Meghan Forrester of Madison and Lane, Chloe and Shaylee Vermilion of Marion; dearest friend, Dawn McDevitt of Columbia City; several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. He is preceded in death by all of his grandparents.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2013 from 2-8:00 p.m. and after 9:00 a.m. on Friday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2013 at the funeral home with Pastor Randy Samuels of Sonrise United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at South Park (Annex) Cemetery.Memorial gifts may be given in Mr. McKinley's memory to Peru High School Sports Programming or First Church of God. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Please visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or sign the guest register book.