Jim Mckinney

Jim McKinney, 69, of Robinson, Illinois, passed away at home on April 10, 2025—still doing what he loved, still serving the community he called home. To understand Jim’s life is to understand a man deeply rooted in one place and completely invested in its people.

Born on October 31, 1955, Jim grew up here, graduated from Robinson High School in 1973, and never left—not really. Sure, the U.S. Army took him away for a few years, where he served from 1974 to 1977 as a radio operator and driver for a general. But even then, the gravity of home was already pulling him back. Robinson was where he belonged.

After returning home, he spent ten years at Marathon Oil before trading in his boots for bidding paddles and blueprints. He graduated from auctioneer school in 1987, became a licensed real estate broker in 1988, and—together with his wife, Mel—purchased Main Street Realty in 2002. They bought the auction company in 2003, and for years, they worked side by side in their office on South Franklin Street, helping others find their place in the world.

But as much as he loved his work, nothing lit him up like serving on the Robinson City Council. Jim was elected Alderman of Ward 3 in 2011 and never missed a beat. He served faithfully until the day before he died—14 years of walking the streets of his ward, returning every phone call, chairing committees, reviewing zoning laws, spearheading property redevelopment, advocating for balanced budgets, and doing his homework (often on YouTube, which his family jokingly considers his alma mater).

His fingerprints are all over Robinson—from the clean-up of derelict properties to the ribbon cutting at Pepsi MidAmerica. He had vision—not for headlines or legacy, but because he believed Robinson was worth investing in. He didn’t just want a better community for himself—he wanted it for his children and grandchildren.

He was the guy you called when you didn’t know where to turn. Kind. Fair. Honest. Always level-headed, always able to see past the problem toward the bigger picture. He wasn’t flashy. But he was faithful. That same faithfulness shaped every part of his life—including the way he loved his family. For all his love of Robinson, it was his family that came first. Always. He treasured his blended family—not as halves or steps, but as his. He was the kind of husband, dad, and grandpa who showed up—listening, supporting, laughing, and loving without limits. His family never had to wonder where his heart was. It was with them.

And yet, even as he poured himself into his home, he never stopped showing up for his community. He was a 48-year member of the American Legion, a lifetime member of the VFW, and a 30-year member of the Elks Lodge #1188, where he twice served as Exalted Ruler and earned Officer of the Year. He was active on the Elks Charitable Commission and served on the Board of Directors for the Robinson Chamber of Commerce.

But there was more to Jim than meetings and motions. Though he was a dedicated public servant, he made plenty of time for guilty pleasures. On Patrol: Live, Dateline, 48 Hours —these were his version of prime-time gold. And if he wasn’t following the twists and turns of true crime shows, he might’ve been diving into another YouTube rabbit hole, researching some obscure topic just for the fun of it (and probably becoming an expert by morning).

He had the soul of a collector and an eye for wonder in the everyday. Beatles records, quirky antiques, old auction finds—his interests were as eclectic as they were endearing. He loved the thrill of mushroom hunting in the spring, especially in his younger years, and could spend hours wandering the woods, often with the kids tagging along behind.

He was a long-suffering Chicago Bears fan, which says everything you need to know about his loyalty. And even when life dealt him a hard hand—when Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension began to steal his breath—he met it with the same laid-back spirit that carried him through everything else. He kept smiling. Kept joking. Kept looking for the bright side. Because that’s who he was—steadfast, sharp, and full of quiet joy.

He didn’t just make Robinson better. He made us better—through his calm presence, his quiet strength, and his unwavering belief that small acts of faithfulness could build something lasting.

Jim is survived by his wife and best friend, Melanie “Mel” McKinney, whom he married on July 3, 1999. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Abby McKinney; his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Rick VanSchoyck; and by his grandchildren, Chance Love, MacKenzie Love, and Kayden McKinney. His great-granddaughter, Daisy Jean Love, brought him endless joy, as did his loyal companions, Lulu the dog and Jasper the cat.

Also surviving are his brothers, Don (Mary) McKinney and Jerry Wayne McKinney (Ron Dean); his brother-in-law, Jim Shaffer; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Robin and Brian Thompson; and several nieces and nephews who knew him as the steady and quietly funny presence at the heart of their family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles L. and Delores McKinney, and by his stepson, Jeremy Correll.

A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Jim’s cremated remains will be laid to rest at the Robinson New Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to  “Elks Lodge #1188”  or to the “Robinson City Parks Department”—two organizations that reflect Jim’s enduring love for his community and the quiet service he gave so freely. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.