John Passed away on December 13, 2010 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He went home to the Lord peacefully with his family by his side. John was born in Mankato Minnesota on June 6, 1922 to Caroline (Campbell) and John J. Mackey. He was brought up on a farm near Waldorf, Minnesota. The family later moved to Biscay, Minnesota after losing their farm during the depression. John graduated from Hutchinson High School and spent two years at Dunwoody Institute. After Pearl Harbor, John answered his country's call and joined the Navy. He served as a Machinist Mate First Class. John spent 3½ years in the Pacific Theater supporting the Island Campaigns and after the war he helped transport Japanese troops from China back to Japan.
After returning to the States, John married Florence Madden on July 5, 1947 at St Kevin's in Minneapolis. Their union resulted in two children, Michael and Mary Kay. The family made their home in Minneapolis. John attended the University of Minnesota where he graduated in 1951. He was hired in 1952 by Minneapolis Honeywell as an Industrial Engineer. He retired in 1984 after 32 years.
John and Florence had an active retirement. They traveled south in the winters with their Airstream trailer and made several trips to Ireland or the "holy land" as John would often call it. John and Florence were very involved in their children and grandchildren's lives. John was a hunter and enjoyed shooting and collecting muzzleloading weapons. He was one of the founding members of the Twin City Muzzleloading Club in 1956. John greatly enjoyed time spent with his two brothers Pat and Walter (Bud) and his three sisters Margaret (Peggy), Joan and Mary. John was the oldest and last surviving of his siblings.
John and Florence moved to Sioux Falls in 2006. John was a devoted Catholic. Florence was the love of his life for over 63 years. He led by quiet example. John was an excellent role model as a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. He had a quick wit and enjoyed a good joke. He touched many lives.
He is survived by his wife, Florence; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Joann Mackey; a daughter, Mary Mackey Sigel and son-in-law, Milt Sigel; and his grandchildren, Thomas, Shawn and Maxwell Mackey, and Erin Mackey Sigel.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday at the Halladay-Peterson Chapel of Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Friday at St. Richard Catholic Church, Richfield, Minnesota. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery at Waseca, MN.