McKenny, June M. 1935-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
June Marlene (Combs) McKenny passed on from this earth into the loving arms of Christ on the evening of Sept. 16, 2025, at the age of 90. On April 16, 1935, June was born in a one room log cabin on Empire Prairie in western Gentry County, Missouri. June, the oldest of three children, lived her youth on a dairy farm graduating from Stanberry High School and then attended business school in St. Joseph.
June married John Joseph “Joe” McKenny on Aug. 3, 1957, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ford City, Missouri. Together they enjoyed a full life blessed with five children. While raising her children June was a great example for them. June worked at Jerry Anne’s Cafeteria and eventually at H&R Block while helping maintain a household. June was happy that all her children attended St. Francis grade school and Bishop Leblond high school.
June was proud of her catholic faith and was a member of St. Francis Xavier parish for over 65 years. During her time at St. Francis June enjoyed her many friends and was a member of St. Ann’s Altar Society, Mr. and Mrs. Club and along with Joe volunteered at St. Francis Food Pantry. June was a beloved longtime Companion, a lay associate, of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and an Oblate of St. Benedict.
After raising her family June’s primary joy was traveling and spending time with Joe. She also enjoyed seeking out treasures at antique stores and auctions. June was known to arrive early at auctions and see the disappointment of dealers as she departed with unknown treasures, just as they were arriving.
In her later years she delighted with the company of her 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
In 2020 June moved to Overland Park, Kansas, to be near her family. She made many friends at her new home at Tall Grass Creek.
June is preceded in death by her parents, H.H. Combs and Ruby Fern Combs; her husband, John Joseph McKenny; son, James Gregory McKenny; brothers Larry Combs, Roger Combs and infant, Gregory Combs; sons-in-law, Victor Sword and Richard Brumback.
June is survived by her children John Patrick “Shorty” McKenny (Denise), Mary Margaret Sword, Joseph Michael McKenny (Amy), Elizabeth Ann Blevins (Jarrod), grandchildren Patrcia Dresbach (Jim), Ryan McKenny (Alison), Megan Albright (Carson), Ashley McKenny, Michaela O’Donnell (David) Betsy Berdelle (Tom) Joseph McKenny (Jade) Luke Edwards (Aubrey), Layne Edwards, Laramy Fleps (Eric), great grandchildren, Ben, Abby, Will, and Olivia Dresbach, Izzy, and Wellesley McKenny, Kylie, Kennedy, and Sophie Albright, Hudson McKenny, Lachlan and Aurelia O’Donnell, Birdie, June, and Lily Berdelle, Claire and Max Edwards, Emersyn Edwards, Parker, Ella June, and Ruby Fleps, sister in laws Karen Combs and Gloria Combs.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Tallgrass Creek and Menorah Medical Center. A special thank you to Cathy and Jim Isgrigg for their friendship with June during her last years in St. Joseph.
A visitation will be held at 10 a.m. followed by a Catholic Mass at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at St. Francis Xavier Church, in St. Joseph.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to St. Francis Xavier Parish. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
