Edgar John McGinnis

Edgar John “Jack” McGinnis, 88, died Monday, May 16, 2011, at his residence in Romney.
He was born in Jacksonville, Ill., on Sept. 1, 1922, and was the son of the late Frances and Edgar McGinnis. He graduated from Routt Catholic High School in1940, where he played on the 1939 Illinois State Champion six-man football team. He attended Illinois College 1940-41 and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y., graduating in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science in marine engineering.
During World War II, he saw action in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean-Middle East war zones, serving on liberty ships and the U.S.S. Saugatuck AO75.
He married Mary Ann Freeland on Sept. 13, 1947, in Fowler. She died in October 2000. He married Kathryn Clemens Mraz on Nov. 24, 2007, in Lafayette, and she survives.
He joined L.I. Freeland Real Estate and Insurance in 1949 which was later known as Freeland McGinnis and Lauerman and retired in 1993. He was an Accredited Farm and Land Broker and member of the National Association of Real Estate Boards.
From 1975 to 1994, he served on the Fowler State Bank Board. He was also on the board of directors for both the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation and Benton Community Foundation.
Mr. McGinnis was a member of Sacred Heart Church of Fowler, the Mens Association of Sacred Heart and Finance Council. He later joined St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette.
He was appointed to the Benton County Public Library Board, serving as treasurer, as well as president from1968 to 1982. He had been a life time Rotarian since 1970, and a Paul Harris Fellow. For many years he supported John Purdue Club and Friends of the Convocations. He had been an active Benton County Country Club member since 1949. He enjoyed traveling with his family, taking his children and grandchildren to Ireland to meet relatives and Alaska to climb Mount McGinnis.
Surviving with his wife are his children Kathleen McGinnis (fiancé: Tim Gennett) of Fowler, John Patrick McGinnis (wife: Tammy) of Plano, Ill., Helen Henry (husband: Hank) of Olympia, Wash.; stepsons, George R. Mraz (wife: Colleen) of Lafayette, James W. Mraz (wife: Sylvia) of Orchard Park, N.Y.; stepdaughters, Royann Mraz of Iowa City, Iowa, Kathleen Ammann (husband: Larry) of Hamilton, Va., and Ann Bongen (husband: Doug) of Batavia, Ill.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Erica, Anna, Patrick, Michael, Kelly and 15 stepgrandchildren.
Friends will be received 1 hour prior to a 4 p.m. funeral Mass Friday at St. Mary Cathedral, Fr. Dan Gartland officiating. Preceded in death by two daughters, Maureen McGinnis and Margaret McGinnis Feathers. In lieu of flowers, consider gifts to the Benton Community Foundation and Purdue University Center for Cancer Research.