Russell Dean McKee
Russell Dean McKee, 81, of North Buffalo Township graduated to heaven Saturday at home with family.
Dean was married to the late Shirley Mae (Toy) McKee, his beloved wife of 57 years, who preceded him in death Nov. 7, 2015.
He is survived by his four children, Timothy P. McKee (wife, Christine) of Evans City, Carla D. Hadden (husband, Timothy) of Kittanning, Jonathan D. McKee (wife, Judy) of Kittanning and Darla R. Romig (husband, Thomas) of Kittanning; five grandchildren, Brett A. Johns (wife, Bobbi), Brooke D. Sims (husband, Jason), Shannon H. McKee, Carley W. Weigel and Kayla S. Weigel; and four great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Sims, Brettlyn Johns, Jaden Sims and Maeleigh Sims; five siblings, Violet Ray (husband, Perry), T. Craig McKee, James McKee (wife, Luana), Marilyn Elder (husband, Robert) and Jack McKee (wife, Judy.)
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Clifford and Ethel Wagner McKee.
Dean was born in West Franklin Township in 1934 and grew up on the family dairy farm. He graduated from Worthington-West Franklin High School in 1952. After high school, Dean pursued a degree in Bible at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., graduated in 1956 and became an ordained minister.
He spent time in California before returning to Pennsylvania, where he served as a pastor and also learned the excavating business. In 1962, Dean started his own excavating business, which he operated until early 2016. During that time, he also served as pastor of the Calvary Bible Chapel and the Homewood Baptist Church, both in Bethel Township, and as president of the Ford City Cemetery Association.
Dean was well known in the community for his wisdom as a pastor, his reputation for sacrificial service and charity to others in need and his inexhaustible work ethic. As a Christian, he was a living model of Matthew 5:39-42 by always doing much more than what was asked. Dean served in his church in various capacities throughout his life, beginning at the Franklin Union Baptist Church, then at the Calvary Bible Chapel, the North Buffalo Grace Brethren Church, the Homewood Baptist Church and finally at the Harvest Baptist Church.
Dean modeled his Christian faith to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The memory of his quiet sacrificial love, uplifting humor, gentle kindness will be treasured by each member of his family as a perpetual legacy. Also, Dean will be remembered for enjoying polkas, motorcycles, basketball and Westerns.
MCKEE — Visitation for Russell Dean McKee, who died Saturday, July 30, 2016, will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the F. DUANE SNYDER FUNERAL HOME in Worthington.Additional visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Franklin Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Kurt Skelly, formerly of Harvest Baptist Church, Natrona Heights, officiating. A committal service and burial will follow at the Ford City Cemetery.For more information or to send a online condolence please visit www.snydercrissman.com
