Clarence McKee, 91, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, September 6, 2024, at Mahaska Health in Oskaloosa.
Clarence Albert McKee, son of Albert Clarence and Betty (Smith) McKee, was born July 26, 1933, in his parent’s rural Montezuma, Iowa home. His parents were farmers, and when he was young, they ventured to Washington State, where they purchased land. It was there that he started his education. His parents later returned to Iowa, and he attended school in Poweshiek and Mahaska County, where he attended Madison Township School. Clarence helped his family on the farms after completing his education. On May 26, 1953, he married Gail Luetta Silvers at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They made their home near Montezuma, where Clarence was soon drafted into the Army. During his two years in the Army, he was stationed in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Ft. Carson, Colorado. After his discharge, the couple returned to Iowa and settled in Oskaloosa, where Clarence went to work for Pepsi. He later worked for Mathew Lumber Company and then Clow Valve Company. Clarence retired from Clow in 1979, and in July of 1980, he opened McKee Coin Shop. He ran his coin shop in Oskaloosa for 44 years and operated coin shops in Ottumwa, Keokuk, and Knoxville. The shop was unique; it sold all things collectible and served as a gathering place for the Oskaloosa Coin Club. The Keokuk Coin Club recently honored Clarence for 50 consecutive years of Coin Show participation. He was a member of the Iowa Numismatist Association and the Iowa Numismatist Association for over 50 years.
Clarence’s family includes his sons, Owen McKee of Oskaloosa and Randy (Michelle Cooper) McKee of Oskaloosa; son-in-law, Robert Hamling of Ottumwa; ten grandchildren: Shelly (Chad) Spaur, Heather (Brian) Kirchner, Kevin McKee, Rachel McKee (Robert Stewart), Fonda (Jeff) Sanders, Melissa (Brandon) Rozendaal, Brandon Whitten (Kelsie Hoyt); several great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and his wife of 55 years, Gail, Clarence was preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy Hamling; a granddaughter, Latricia Michell Whitten; a great-grandson, Cole William Spaur; two brothers, Lester and Allan McKee; and a sister, Maxine McKee.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel with Pastor Darren Melton of the Gateway Nazarene Church officiating. The burial will be in Henness Cemetery with Military Honors by the Iowa National Guard. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 5-7 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the National Rifle Association.
