Mary was born on October 26, 1922 in Mansfield, and was just a few months shy of celebrating her 100th birthday. Mary was the daughter of William J. and Eva G. (Peterson) Ryder and one of eight children. She went to high school at Mansfield John Simpson High School, and was a life-long resident of Mansfield. On March 8, 1948, she married the love of her life, Melvin L. McKinley. Together, they built a life with four wonderful children, and shared almost 50 years of marriage before he passed away in 1997. Mary worked at Isaly’s Dairy, A & P Grocery, Westinghouse (twice), Nikolaus & Franks, Kobacher’s, JcPenny (downtown), and finally retiring in 1972 from Ohio Edison after 15 years as a receptionist. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Mary found her family to be very important and close to her heart. She loved the big family reunions and making memories with her family. Mary found it easy to laugh and have fun, and knew laughter was good for the soul. She was very kind hearted and fun to be with. She loved being outdoors, gardening, planting flowers, feeding the birds, mushroom hunting, fishing, and pretty much anything in nature. She also loved playing cards games, board games, lawn darts, sewing, canning, cooking, baking, and traveling. Mary was a lifelong member of the VFW in Mansfield and loved her country.
Mary is survived by her children, Gary (Pawnee) McKinley of Columbus and Larry (Maud) Laughlin of Mansfield; her grandchildren, Sherry Hurt, Steven (Crystal) Emmer, Orva Gullet, Hubert (Penny) Spillman, Norman Spillman, Jenny (Rick) Sanders, Mary (Brett) Toward, Mark (Kathryn) McKinley, Shawn (Carrie) McKinley, and Michael (Crista) McKinley; 22 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin McKinley; her daughter, Patricia Emmer; her son, Dennis McKinley; four sisters, Velma Hershey, Maxine Nikolaus, Norma Williams, and Delores Condon; and 3 brothers, Edward Ryder, Lester Ryder, and William Ryder.
The family will welcome guests from 1:00-2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond Street. Funeral services will follow beginning immediately at 2:00 pm. Mary will be laid to rest in Mansfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mansfield Christian School, 500 Logan Road, Mansfield, OH 44907.
