Mildred Eileen McKinley May went to be with the Lord Jesus on May 19, 2015. She was a member of the Salamonia United Church of Christ in Salamonia, IN, and formerly East Lynn Christian Church in Anderson.
Mildred was born April 15, 1921, in Jay County, Indiana, the oldest of seven children of Ray and Samaria McKinley. She graduated from Portland High School in 1939 and afterward worked as a telephone operator and bookkeeper. With the outbreak of World War II, Mildred joined the Women’s Army Corp. and served from 1942-1945. She was in General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters and was stationed overseas in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Over the years, she was featured in local newspapers and radio and television specials about her unique military experiences which included standing parade for Mexico’s ambassador and Madam Chiang Kai-shek, China’s first lady. In 2009, she traveled to Washington, DC, as part of the Honor Flight for WWII veterans and met Senator and Mrs. Bob Dole.
When discharged in 1945, she attended Ball State. In 1947, she married Ralph May. The couple moved to Anderson, where Mildred was personnel secretary for Ward-Stilson Co. until the birth of their first child when she became a homemaker and community leader. Mildred and Ralph were married for 65 years.
Active in her church and community, Mildred was Mother’s Club president, Cub Scout leader, Girl Scout leader, Sigma Alpha Chi sorority president, charter member and secretary of the Anderson League of Women Voters, president and treasurer of the Hillcrest Home for Girls, on the Anderson Council of Women, and Anderson Woman of the Year nominee. She was a Sunday school teacher, church deaconess, elder, chairperson of the education committee, youth group leader, and served on the Board of Trustees and missions and evangelism committees. She was treasurer of the Harvest Food Bank and Jay County Historical Society, president of the Jay County Extension Homemakers and Noble Busy Bee Homemakers Club, secretary-treasurer of the UCC Eastern Association Women, and on the Jay County Mental Health Board. In 2005, Mildred and Ralph were presented with the Hoosier Hospitality Award by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman.
Proud of her heritage, her grandfather was recorded to be third cousins with President William McKinley. Mildred enjoyed travel and visited China, Europe, the Panama Canal, and most U.S. states.
Mildred was preceded in death by husband Ralph, son David, her parents, and four siblings. Survivors include sons Paul (Vicki) May, Kentucky; Peter (Debbie) May, Wyoming; daughters Nancy (Dave) Hoffman, California; Tina (Jim) Skeel, Anderson; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family thanks Bethany Pointe Legacy and Harter House staffs for their loving care.
Visitation will be at the Rozelle Johnson Funeral Service in Anderson from 4-7 pm Friday with a service on Saturday at 10 am with military rites by VFW Post 266. Burial will follow in the Salamonia Cemetery at 1 pm with Rev. Bruce Phillips officiating. At 3 pm a life celebration service will be at Salamonia United Church of Christ for family and friends.
Memorial donations may be sent to either the Salamonia United Church of Christ or East Lynn Christian Church. Post condolences at www.theheraldbulletin.com or at www.rozelle-johnson.com.