April 20, 2012 –
Gerald Lee “Wah-Knee-Kaw-Bout” McKinney Sr. 62, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away at his home on April 11, 2012. He was born on April 29, 1949 in Horton, Kansas the son of Leonard and Melvina Mjessepe Banks McKinney. He attended several Native American Boarding Schools in Nebraska, South Dakota and Oklahoma. Gerald was a draftsman and an Native American Artist which he enjoyed very much. Gerald was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe and the Native American Church. He married Marlis Bearstail and they were later divorced. He then married Jody McIntosh, she survives of Topeka, Kansas. Additional survivors include two daughters, April McKinney and Sharol McKinney both of Horton, Kansas; one sister, Carol McKinney Yazzie of Topeka, Kansas; three brothers, Michael McKinney of Topeka, Kansas, Murray Banks of Horton, Kansas and Jason Banks of Hiawatha, Kansas; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Gerald McKinney Jr., five brothers, Larry, Norris and Joseph McKinney, Narcissus “Doc” and Maurice Banks. The family will greet friends Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas. Native American Church Services will be at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Wayne Jessepe’s home on the Kickapoo Reservation. Burial will be at the Mason Cemetery on Sunday morning at 9:00 A.M. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com