Former Dune Acres resident Ben P. McKay died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at Englewood Nursing Home in Englewood, Ohio. He was 81.

He was born Feb. 8, 1927 in Indianapolis, Ind., the son of Roy and Ellen (Collier) McKay.

In Daleville, Ind., on June 6, 1947, he married Janet (Zumpe) McKay, who preceded him in death on Aug. 19, 1990.

Survivors include three sons, Thomas (Pamela) of Salinas, Calif., Matthew (Kerri) of Boone Grove, Ind., and Kelly (Susan) of Madison, Wis.; six grandchildren, Ian McKay of Boone Grove, Maggie McKay of Crown Point, Ind., Thomas and Stephanie McKay of Salinas, Calif., and Katie and Kerry McCarthy of Madison, Wis.; one sister, Bettie Clark of Plano, Texas; his life companion of many years, Roberta Hart of Union City, Ind., and special extended family members, Mark and Patty Witt of Englewood, Ohio whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by one son, Christopher.

After retiring from his duties as a school superintendent for the Oregon-Davis School Corporation, he moved to the area in 1977. Living here until 1992, he was an assistant to his wife, who served as a film librarian for the now dissolved Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary in Dune Acres.

After the passing of his wife, he moved to Union, Ohio to reside with his sister.

A graveside memorial service and interment at Saunders Cemetery in Daleville, Ind. is planned to take place in the fall. There will be no visitation.

Hale-Sarver Funeral Home of West Milton, OH handled the arrangements.

Posted 7/17/2007