Joan P. (Rode) McKinley
December 1, 1950 ~ July 13, 2017
Joan P. (Rode) McKinley, 66, passed away July 13, 2017. She was born December 1, 1950, in Beech Grove, to the late Walter and Irene Rode, the 4th of 8 children. She married Maynard McKinley on November 16th, 1974, and they raised one son, Michael.
She lived her life serving others through her work at St. Jude Catholic Church, where her official title was ‘liturgy coordinator’, but all who knew her, knew she served far beyond a job title and was the ‘super glue’ of the parish. She coordinated all weddings, funerals, baptisms, church liturgies, and ensured God’s house was beautifully decorated for every occasion, in addition to her endless ‘administrative responsibilities’ at the parish center, all the while offering a hug or word of encouragement to those around her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard; her son, Michael; her stepson Jeff; her parents, and brother, John.
She is survived by her daughter,-in-law Michele McKinley; her grandchildren, James, Hayden and Madyson; and her siblings, Jim (Margie) of Whiteland IN, Joe (Mary Rose) of Mooresville IN, Jerry (Debbie) of Brazil IN, Jeff of Powell WY, Joyce (Bob) Lewis and Jayne (David) Chambliss, of Indianapolis, IN.
Viewing will be Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 3-8 pm at St. Jude Catholic Church, 5353 McFarland Rd, Indianapolis. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am Thursday, July 20, 2017, with additional visitation from 10 am. Entombment will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church. Final care and arrangements are entrusted to the Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home. Visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Joan, you will be truly missed by all who loved you. Rest in the Lord’s presence!
Bette (Nightingale) Borem
Joan, I will never forget you. Always keeping St Jude beautiful and keeping things running smooth. I will miss your smiling face. Love you, Jan
St Joan
Dear Joan – from fourth grade at St. Jude through high school at Chartrand High School, we were friends and still are – – I just won’t get to see you anymore. You were the extremely talented angel God sent to St. Jude a long, long time ago. I guess your work is now done. I am happy for you that you have now been reunited with your family members and your beloved co-worker Jan. Please tell Jan Matthews Morris that I miss her dearly. Thank you for always being so happy to see me. Rest in peace my friend. I am so sorry you are no longer here. Marianne Schafer Ries
Thank you for all that you did for our St. Jude family. God bless you.
Aunt Joan ~
You will be missed by so many. To me, that is the greatest tribute to a life well lived.
Love you so much Joanie Roni!
Love,
Kristen
To the family of Joan …I first met her when she was working at St. Bridget Parish. She was so loving and kind. We even reconnected a few months ago.
Joan always had a smile on her face and joy in her heart. I was so shocked to hear of her passing. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers…