LONGVIEW – Clyde O. "Mac" McKinney, 88 of Longview, passed away on Feb. 11, 2009, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at the Joines Funeral Home, Illinois 130 S., Villa Grove, with the Rev. Nicholas Showalter officiating, Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home. Burial will be in the Fairland Cemetery with military rites by Walter Jones VFW Post 2876. Mac was born Sept. 9, 1920, in Richland County, a son of Flaud and Stella (Wright) McKinney, he married Nadine Sterchi May 18, 1947, (Married 61 years), she survives in Longview.

Also surviving are one son, Spence (Toody) McKinney of Decorah, Iowa; two grandsons, Eric (Holly) McKinney of Arbor Vista, Wis., and Brett (Jody) McKinney of Rhinelander, Wis.; three great-grandchildren, Will Beede Morgan, Avery McKinney and Parker McKinney; one sister, Harriet Taylor of Olney; one brother, Stanley (Jean) McKinney of Carmi; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Mac was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and four brothers.

Mac graduated from high school in Clinton. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Seabee in the Pacific Theater operating heavy equipment.

He attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts.

He received a master's degree in Industrial Technology from Oregon State University. Mac worked for two years with Haliburton Service. He started teaching at ABL Community Schools in 1953. He taught Industrial Arts and Drivers Education at ABL for 37 years.

Teaching and helping his students was his passion. It gave him great pride in seeing his students go on and be successful later in life. A sign in his classroom read "He knows enough who knows to learn."

He also ran the school building maintenance program for all of the ABL schools. He was a member of the Longview United Methodist Church. Mac enjoyed hunting and camping, and loved working outside in his yard, planting trees, flowers, and taking care of them.