Gloria Grace McKinney

Gloria Grace (Wiertalla) McKinney, age 84, of Brimley, Michigan, passed away on May 15, 2026, at her home. She was born on August 10, 1941, in St. Ignace, Michigan, to Rudolph and Matha (Newman) Wiertalla. At the age of two, Gloria and her family moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, because her father was a section foreman for the Soo Line Railroad. Gloria attended McKinnley Elementary School and graduated from Sault Area High School with the class of 1959. She married Donald J. McKinney on April 23, 1960, they resided in Sault Ste. Marie until they moved to Brimley in 1974. Gloria was a member of Faith Lutheran Church and a life-long member of the Brimley VFW. Gloria worked at F.W. Woolworth store, then worked for Sault Schools as a substitute aide for Special Education children and a bus aide for special education children attending Rudyard High School. She also worked for Brimley Schools in food service along with serving at the township hall for senior citizen dinners. She retired in 2005 with Bell’s Tourists as her last place of employment. Gloria also volunteered at the Soo Head Start School for many years and she also volunteered at St. Francis Xavier Lutheran Church during the pasty making times. Gloria enjoyed lunchtime outings with her girlfriends and family gatherings. She enjoyed doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles, watching mystery movies and the good old westerns on TV, Gloria is survived by her sons, Randy (Cindy Leigh) McKinney of Sault Ste. Marie, and Rudy (Loretta) McKinney of Appleton, Wisconsin; granddaughters, Shemida (Jayson) LaBlanc of Brimley, Dawn (Mike) MacDonald of Kincheloe, Michigan, and Keshia (Matt) Tuveson of Kaysville, Utah; great-grandchildren, Shemida K. Leblanc, Holden LaBlanc, Cierra MacDonald, and Victoria MacDonald; and close friend, Roberta Proffitt. Gloria was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents, Rudolph and Matha; brothers, Kennett, Rolland, Crandel, and Rudy Wiertalla; sisters-in-law, Doris Wiertalla and Alice Wiertalla; niece, Llorie; and nephew, Dale Wiertalla. Per Gloria’s wishes, no services are being held. Gloria’s final resting place will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan. Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com. Obituary as submitted by family.

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Gloria Grace McKinney

August 10, 1941 - May 15, 2026