Stephen Rains Mckinley

Stephen Rains McKinley, 55, of Palestine, IL, died December 5, 2019, in his home. He was born November 20, 1964, the son of Rudy & Nancy (Rains) McKinley, both of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his children & their spouses, Kyle & Meagan McKinley and Brittany & Michael Brown (Madison, MS); by his grandchildren, Hayden, Annalyn, Beckett, as well as one grandchild on the way! He is also survived by his siblings, Keith David & Kimberly McKinley (Doans, IN), Dale & Debra K. Harris (Terre Haute, IN), Melinda Eveland & life partner Timothy Stuckey (Hutsonville, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews. Steve grew up in Greenville and Madison, MS areas and was a 1983 graduate of Madison Ridgeland High School in Madison, MS. He would further his education, eventually earning an engineering degree. He put his new-found knowledge to use at Johnson Controls (now Amcor) in Franklin, IN, where he worked for 30 years. In 2013, he started McKinley Industries, a business he managed until his passing. Away from work, he could almost always be found outdoors, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also found great joy in traveling, and saw much of the continental United States. He even visited France a number of years ago. Steve truly enjoyed his life. His creed was to have fun, and did he ever! He, himself said it best, he was, "the total package". Those who enjoyed good times with him could never forget the joy and love he gave to the world. It was Steve's wish to be cremated, and there will be a celebration of his life at a later date. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine is in charge of cremation arrangements.