Michael “Mike” Allen McKinley, 81, passed away on November 10, 2026, at EveryStep Kavanagh House from complications of acute myeloid leukemia.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Otter Creek Pinnacle Club (4100 NE Otter Creek Dr., Ankeny, IA).

Mike (also known as Mac, Macklee, or Mikey) was born December 19, 1944, to Mary (Williams) McKinley and Chelsea W. McKinley at Mary Greeley Memorial Hospital in Ames, IA. He was the big brother to Timothy John and Richard Kevin.

Mike enjoyed growing up in the shadow of Iowa State College, playing in the barn and fields that are now Iowa State Center. The family moved “downtown” when Mike was in 5th grade, where he explored a whole new neighborhood and made many lifelong friends.

He taught himself to play golf and could be seen riding his bike, carrying his clubs to the Oakes Golf Course. Mike played on the Ames High golf team. After years of dedicated work, he became a scratch golfer and enjoyed playing at the Ames Golf and Country Club and Coldwater Golf Links. He scored four holes in one over his life!

Mike worked his way through Iowa State College, where a standing bridge game at the Trophy Tavern in the Memorial Union brought another group of dear friends.

The Vietnam War came knocking, and Mike joined the U.S. Navy so that he didn’t have to get shot while boots on the ground. Throughout his Navy gig, Mike kept his head down, worked hard as an electronics technician, and drank some beer.

Mike worked hard his entire life, starting with his first job at age 14 as a dishwasher at Tom’s Grill. (This brought a screeching halt to his basketball career). He had over 13 jobs before he found his niche.

Mac became a pioneer in Iowa’s emergency medical services. He returned home from the Navy and soon joined the newly formed hospital-based ambulance service at Mary Greeley Memorial Hospital in 1973.

Starting as an EMT, he became one of Iowa’s very first paramedics (national certification #5), rising through the ranks at Mobile Intensive Care Services as a supervisor before becoming the service’s director in 1982. He continued in that position until 1996. Mac oversaw rapid growth and change in EMS system development. He encouraged personal and professional growth in others, expanded the scope of practice, and worked to build a network of other services, supporting area first responder programs and a federally funded regional Central Iowa EMS System Development program.

Mac was known for his professional skills, dependability, and sense of humor, as well as his patience and desire to help others achieve their goals. He was a great friend and mentor to staff, students, and local first responders.

In his final years, Mac took great pride in recalling names, dates, and events with incredible clarity, helping colleagues and new friends piece together the history of Mobile Intensive Care Services during his nearly quarter-century tenure there.

Mike ended his career at Mary Greeley Medical Center as the safety officer, where he oversaw compliance with OSHA standards in all areas except direct patient care. He also started the valet service, where he mentored high school and college students on working with the public, being responsible for other people’s property, and representing MGMC in the best light possible. He retired in March of 2005 and promptly began his favorite job, working on the grounds crew at Coldwater Golf Links.

For 13 years, he learned how to mow fairways and greens, drive a tractor, repair irrigation systems, recover from flooding, and do all the things needed to keep a golf course in tip-top shape.

In his second retirement, he enjoyed golfing with Penni and teaching his grandkids the beauty of golf. When he could no longer golf, he gave them instructions from the golf cart. A golfer and teacher to the end.

Mike is survived by his wife, Penni; stepdaughter, Keyea (Ben) Fowles; grandchildren, Hannah and Holden Fowles; brother, Tim (Barb) McKinley; sister-in-law, Deb (Ben) Benefield; cousin, Bob Conklin; and numerous close nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Chelsea McKinley; his brother, Kevin McKinley; and aunt, Jean Lambertus.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Polk County Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Des Moines Chapter 20 or McFarland Clinic Foundation designated to the Oncology Department.

Celebration of Life

Nov

15

Otter Creek Pinnacle Club

4100 NE Otter Creek Dr.
Ankeny, IA 50021

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM