Velma I. McKillip

Velma Irene (Fink) McKillip peacefully passed away surrounded by family. Velma (“Vel”) was born January 2, 1934 in Cardington, Ohio to Hazel (Bond) and Russell Fink. She graduated from Cardington Lincoln High School in 1952. She spent several years living in Glenwood City, WI before returning to Ohio and meeting the love of her life, Milton “Pete” McKillip at a Marysville football game, where he coached. They married December 20, 1958 and settled in Gahanna. Vel held many jobs after high school, but the job at which she most excelled was as a mom and grandma to her children and granddaughter.

In their spare time, she and Pete loved to travel together. Some of her favorite places included Hawaii, Alaska and golf trips to Myrtle Beach. Aside from living in Ohio, they treasured several retirement years living in Goodyear, AZ.

She was a long-time member of Mifflin Presbyterian Church where she served in many roles including as a Deacon and as a chaperone for youth cantata trips.

Her parents, husband, Pete and 2 sisters Phyllis (Bob) Ryan and Ruth (Benny) Eastep preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Randy (Karen); Leslie (Bill Lenhart); and Ron (Kelly) as well as her granddaughter, Caitlin McKillip.

The family will accept visitors on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 4-7 at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast 1051 E Johnstown Rd, Gahanna. A graveside interment service will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Maplewood Cemetery, 4585 Reynoldsburg-New Albany Rd, New Albany.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at The Avalon of New Albany and to her team at Capital City Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vel’s memory to Mifflin Presbyterian Church, Gahanna, or to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus.