Alene A. McKinley

Alene Ardell McKinley, 92, of Monticello passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025 surrounded by her loving family at IU Health White Memorial Hospital.

She was born May 2, 1933 on the family farm in Reynolds, the daughter of the late Morris and Fern (Thrasher) Clerget-Werner. She married the late Max “Gene” McKinley at the Presbyterian parsonage in Monticello on February 8, 1953.

Alene was a 1951 graduate of Reynolds High School, the Salutatorian of her class. She worked at the Koontz Insurance Agency in downtown Monticello, Bryan Manufacturing, operated her own babysitting service, raised and dressed chickens as a business, worked ten years at Moss Creek Country Club in Winamac, managed the North White School cafeteria, and owned and operated Thrasher’s Woods Campground with her husband, Gene, from 1974 until they retired in 2008. She was a member of the Monon Methodist Church. She was instrumental in creating the Monon Civic Preservation Society and served as the first president of the organization following its incorporation in 1998. She was a sixty-three year member of the Modern Homemakers Extension Club, a member of the original Bunco Club, Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), and the Winamac Poker Club. In 1968, she was crowned Indiana State Homemaker of the Year. The town of Monon celebrated with a parade and showered her with gifts including her first dishwasher and a color television. She lived her life according to her favorite quote, “Don’t tell me I can’t, I’ll prove I can.” She will be cherished always as a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a loving woman to all who knew her.

Surviving are six of her children, Laura Henneman of Davenport, IA, Carol Green (John Moore) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Sharon McKinley of Monticello, Jane (Lloyd) Overton of Monon, Cathy Klopfenstein of Monticello, and Max (Melissa) McKinley, II of West Lafayette; son-in-law, Bob Bir of Crossville, TN; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren with one on the way; and sister-in-law, Leatha Clerget of Monon.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by an infant son, Jeffrey, and a daughter, Diane Bir; son-in-law, Jeff Klopfenstein; siblings, Lucian Loyd Clerget and Joyce Fleck.

Funeral services celebrating Alene’s life will be at 1pm (EDT) on Friday, June 13, 2025 at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello with Rev. Russ Alley officiating. Friends may call two hours prior to services at the funeral home.

Alene will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Gene in Bedford Cemetery immediately following services.

Memorial contributions are encouraged to the Monon Methodist Church or to the Monon Civic Preservation Society with envelopes available at the funeral home.

Friends and family are encouraged to share a photo, a memory, or messages of condolence at www.springervoorhisdraper.com

Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello is entrusted with care.