Micah McKinney
Edwardsville | Save
Micah J. McKinney, 49, of Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, June 13, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
He was born on October 22, 1976, in Kirkwood, Missouri, the son of Jane (Lear) McKinney of Edwardsville and the late Dr. Phillip M. McKinney.
Micah married the love of his life, Vicki Lynn (Chartrand) McKinney, on February 16, 2019, at Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton, Illinois.
A 1995 graduate of Edwardsville High School, Micah attended John A. Logan College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He later received a Master of Arts degree in Education and Technology from Lindenwood University in 2004.
Micah devoted much of his professional life to teaching Industrial Technologies at Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, where he shared his passion for skilled trades and hands-on learning with generations of students. Most recently, he was employed with Pfund Construction.
A quiet and reserved man, Micah rarely sought the spotlight, yet he formed deep and lasting connections with those fortunate enough to know him. He had a gift for gently teasing the people he cared about and making others laugh with his understated sense of humor. As a teacher, his greatest rewards came not from the daily routine of the classroom, but from the moments when a student finally grasped a concept or discovered confidence in their own abilities.
Outside of work, Micah could often be found wearing a John Deere hat, spending time in the hay field, talking tractors, dancing like no one was watching, or playing with Hank, his beloved beagle. Hank, a wedding gift to the newlyweds from his brother, Ted, became a constant companion and a cherished member of the family.
Although Micah and Vicki did not have children of their own, he treasured his role as an uncle to his beloved nieces and nephews. Whether teaching them about life on the farm, sharing stories, or gathering around a game of Uno, he found great joy in the time they spent together.
An avid collector of all things John Deere, Micah took particular pride in restoring a 1940s John Deere Model B tractor. He valued family, hard work, and a life rooted in simple pleasures.
In addition to his beloved wife, Vicki, and his mother, Jane, he is survived by his brother, Ted R. McKinney and sister-in-law, Lindsay Droit McKinney of Edwardsville; his nieces and nephews, Nolan and Vail McKinney, and Zachary and Ashley Chartrand; his sister-in-law, Tammy Chartrand and her significant other, Ed Kostyshock of Alhambra; his brother-in-law, Kevin Chartrand and his significant other, Missy Matesa of Alhambra; many aunts and uncles, cousins, extended family members, friends, former students, and colleagues.
Micah created countless cherished memories with those he loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his father, Dr. Phillip M. McKinney, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ted and Shirley McKinney; his maternal grandparents, James and Doris Lear; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Treva Chartrand.
In celebration of his life, a memorial gathering will be held at Irwin Chapel, 591 Glen Crossing Road in Glen Carbon, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Hawthorne Animal Hospital Angel Fund and may be accepted at the funeral chapel or online at veterinarycarefoundation.org.
Condolences and memories may be shared at irwinchapel.com.
Irwin Chapel Funeral Home
