Dr. William Mark McKinley, 89, passed away June 4, 2013, in Brookville, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Mark was the last of a special generation of McKinley doctors that lived and practiced medicine in Brookville and had a deep impact on so many in the region. To his family, his friends and his community he will be remembered as a respected surgeon, a devoted family man, and as a lover of historic preservation, world history and travel.
As the youngest child of Dr. Arthur C. McKinley and Mary Cowan, Dr. Mark was born March 24, 1924 in Corsica and raised in Brookville. He graduated from Brookville High School and attended Grove City College. In 1943 Dr. Mark joined the Army to serve in World War II. He subsequently returned to college, graduating from Yale University (1946) and Albany Medical College (1949). He interned at Abington Hospital outside of Philadelphia, then enlisted in the Air Force and served as captain in the medical corps during the Korean War.
In 1953 Dr. Mark returned to Brookville and joined his father, Dr A. C. McKinley, and 3 brothers, Dr. Randon McKinley, Dr. Oscar McKinley and Dr. Wayne McKinley, on the staff of Brookville Hospital. After completion of Surgical residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Dr. Mark moved back to his hometown to practice General Surgery at Brookville Hospital. He was the first board certified surgeon in Jefferson County, and he served his community through the Brookville Hospital for 50 years.
Dr. William Mark McKinley was former President of the International College of Proctology and an active member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Brookville Community Club. He also served on local School Boards and The Town Council.
Dr. Mark worked tirelessly to enhance the beauty and recognition of his beloved hometown of Brookville. His love of architecture inspired him to restore a number of buildings to their original beauty and function and seek recognition from the National Register of Historic Places. The Joseph E. Hall house (the former Rebecca M. Arthurs Library) was the first of his restorations placed on the Registry in 1978. Subsequently, numerous sites in Brookville have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places including the downtown district of Brookville.
In 1999 Dr Mark was instrumental in the development of Laurelbrooke Landing. It had been his father’s desire to have “this fine parcel (of land) put to some important use.” Today Laurelbrooke campus in Brookville includes apartments and cottages for seniors, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities and Rehab and post acute care through the Dr. A.C. McKinley Health Center.
Dr William Mark McKinley is survived by his wife and constant companion of 64 years, Marie; daughter Leslie McKinley Yard (Venice, FL), son Arthur C. McKinley II (Sleepy Hollow , NY) and son Dr. William O. McKinley (Richmond, Va). He also leaves a legacy of 5 grandchildren: Marie (Paris, France), Delphine and Madeline (Sleepy Hollow, NY),and Kaitlin, Sean and Megan (Richmond, VA).
He was preceeded in death by his three brothers: Randon, Oscar and Wayne; and three sisters: Elizabeth, Eleanor and Barbara.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Brookville on June 17, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to Dr. A. C. McKinley Health Center, Laurelbrooke Landing – 133 Laurelbrooke Dr., Brookville, Pa. 15825, and the Brookville Presbyterian Church – White and Main St., Brookville, Pa. 15825.
Arrangements are under the direction of McKinney Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Brookville, Pa. 15825.
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