Obituaries

DEFOREST-Dr. Clayton A. McKinney, age 81, died unexpectedly on February 6, 2017. He was born in Ashland on November 29, 1935, the son of Clayton C. and Mildred E. (Svendsen) McKinney. He grew up and graduated from Ashland High School in 1953. He attended the University of Wisconsin for 2 years before attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, where he graduated in 1959. Clayton enlisted in the USAF and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan from 1959 to 1961. On February 2, 1960, he married Betsey Lou Bargholtz.

In 1961, they returned to the U.S. where he practiced dentistry on the North side of Madison for 42 years. Clayton was involved in the Cub and Boy Scouts both as a youth and as an adult leader with his sons. He was a life member of the Dane County and American Dental Associations and was President of the Dane County Dental Society in 1992. He helped start a volunteer dental program in Madison, served as Chairman of the Insurance Committee for the Wisconsin Dental Association and Secretary of the WDA Insurance Programs board of directors.

He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church since 1962, where he served as an usher. He was a member of several service organizations including a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, and played trombone in the Shrine Band.

Clayton enjoyed many hobbies, including wood carving, photography, golf, cross country skiing, hunting both deer and game birds, reading books, watching the Badgers and Packers play and traveling. One of his greatest joys was sharing the cabin “Up North” with his children and grandchildren, and seeing the joy they had while there.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betsey; his children, Dan (Peggy), Patty, and Doug (Deb); grandchildren, Bradley and Stephanie, Sam, Josh and Ben; his sister, Sharon Peterson; brothers, Jon (Barbara) and Bill (Beda); and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bethel Lutheran Church or Olbrich Botanical Society.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017, at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., the with Rev. Margo Martens presiding. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com