Obituaries

October 9, 1929 to January 20, 2021

WINAMAC - Reece J. McGee, 91, of Lafayette (formerly of Francesville), passed away Wednesday, Jan. 20, at The Springs at Lafayette.

He was born Oct. 9, 1929 in St. Paul, MN to the late Reece J. and Vivian J. McGee. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1952, a master’s in 1953, and a PhD in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Dec. 2, 1978, he married Sharron A. Onken in Winamac. She preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 2011.

He is survived by:
Kaelin McGee Shipley, West Lafayette, Daughter
Reece Jon (Stacie) McGee, San Marcos, TX, Son
Shanna Beth McGee, Cleveland Heights, OH, Daughter
Lisa A. (Shaker) Cavness Hites, Monon, Step-Daughter
Lydia L. (Tim) Cavness Mounce, Francesville, Step-Daughter
Katy Hites, Mocksville, NC, Granddaughter
Sarah Watts, Brooklet, GA, Granddaughter
Kate Richey, (Sam) Rockford, IL, Granddaughter
Christina R Cassidy (Sean), Nashville,TN, Granddaughter
Jacob R McGee, Waco, TX, Grandson
Hannah McGee, Rohnert Park, CA, Granddaughter
Haley Clark, (John) Westport, Step-Granddaughter
Heath Mounce, Carmel, Step-Grandson
8 Step-Great-Grandchildren

Dr. McGee was a retired professor of sociology from Purdue University. He spent his entire professional life in higher education, which he dearly loved. His first academic job was at Humboldt State College in California in the fall of 1956. A year later, he joined the sociology department at the University of Texas where he was an assistant professor from 1957 to 1961 and an associate professor from 1961 to 1964. He later accepted an offer from Purdue University’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology, where he spent the next 28 years as a full professor. He was head of the department from 1987 to 1992 and retired in 1995. As one of only two people ever designated a master teacher at Purdue, he taught large classes of introductory sociology (classes that were so engaging they were broadcast on Purdue’s public radio station). In 1995, Purdue’s School of Liberal Arts granted him its award for educational excellence, and a year later, Purdue’s board of trustees created the Reece McGee Distinguished Professorship. In 1999, Dr. McGee was in the first class of professors to be honored in Purdue’s “Book of Great Teachers.”

Private burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Francesville. The American Legion will provide military graveside services.

Memorial donations in Reece and Sharron McGee’s name may be made to the media center at West Central School Corporation, 1850 S. US 42. PO Box 578, Francesville, IN 47946.

Arrangements entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.