Howard Ralph Mckee

Howard Ralph McKee passed away peacefully on December 18, 2013, at the age of 91, after a short illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Doreen O'Connell McKee, in May of 2007 and his oldest daughter, Gail McKee, in December of 2000, and by his brother, George M. McKee. He is survived by his children, Susan McKendrick, Ralph McKee (Jean Wong), and Denis McKee (Elizabeth) and his grandchildren, Christopher Blunden (Kelly), Amy Blunden, Rory McKendrick (Tara), Melissa McKee and Sean McKee. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Alivia, Marin, and Liam McKendrick and Ian, Ava, Keegan and Rowan Blunden. He is survived by two sisters-in-law, Cherry O'Connell and Eileen Hookins. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, George Wayne (Judy), late Jim (Jane), David (Judy) and Kenneth (Jenifer) McKee; Jeremy (Bobbie), Tim (Judy), Alan (Jeanette) Hookins and Barbi Hookins Harrison (Mike); Frances O'Connell and Kathy Herbst (Richard). Also survived by many great nieces and nephews.

Howard was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 30, 1922 to Clara E. Priebe and George Foster McKee. He was a proud World War II Veteran, serving in the US Army as a Technical Third Grade from November 1942 to February 1946, mostly in London, England, where he met his future bride. After the war ended, Doreen traveled from London to New York and they returned to Cleveland where they were married on January 11, 1947. They eventually moved to Detroit where he worked as a payroll supervisor and later a computer programmer at a tool and die company, Snyder Corporation. He retired at age 63 and in his later years, drove many thousands of miles for various auto dealers to assist with dealer trades. He was never one to sit still and his many other accomplishments included building a Chris-Craft boat in 1960. This boat brought many hours of enjoyment to the family when vacationing.

Howard and Doreen were active members of the Allen Park Presbyterian Church and were involved in the Koinonia and Kiwanis Clubs. Howard was a member of the Allen Park Chapter of the American Legion and was a Mason. He visited the World War II Memorial when it opened in 2004. He never missed an opportunity to encourage others to add their or their family members' names to the Memorial website by handing out forms to everyone he met.

He enjoyed playing golf and also spent many hours playing cards with his 'card buddies'. Howard and Doreen also enjoyed travel to England, Ireland, South Africa and Hawaii as well as many areas throughout the United States. He was fond of animals and in recent years had a cat, CC, and a bird, Popeye who brought him great pleasure.

He enjoyed a long and very full life and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Visitation is on Sunday, December 29, 11:30am - 3:30pm at Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park Ave., Allen Park, MI 48101 (313) 382-1150. Services are planned for 4pm at Allen Park Presbyterian Church, 7101 Park Ave., Allen Park, MI. Interment with Military Honors will take place the following day at 1:30 pm at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michigan Humane Society, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.