Chloetta Maye Kinney, 96 years old, passed away on February 7, 2026. Chloetta now rests in the arms of Jesus, her Lord and Savior.
She was born February 28, 1929, to Arthur August and Lenore Belle Pugh Johnson, in Galesburg, Illinois. Just a few months later would come the great market crash of 1929 and the worldwide economic depression. Chloetta’s dad sold needles and thread door to door in those days, to support the family, and later worked for the Railway Express Agency, to make a living. Her upbringing was austere during the depression, and Chloetta and her parents lived with her maternal grandparents and grew up in their home in Galesburg. The boy next door was Don Kinney, whom she would later marry when he returned from serving in the Navy during World War II.
Chloetta became a big sister when she was 14 years old and was instrumental in helping to raise her younger brother Terrill. She graduated from GHS in 1947, and married Don in 1948. She would be the loving stay at home mom to their two children Don and Becky until returning to work years later. Chloetta was a loving, kind woman, with a warm sense of humor.
Chloetta worked at several places over the years including Lotts Drug Store during high school, and years later, Gambles Department Store, Brown Lynch and Scott as a manager, Prairie Council BSA, as the staff Registrar, (and volunteer Den Mother), and as Secretary for Faith Lutheran Church in Wataga. She also worked at St. Mary’s hospital for a time, and as a manager at Grandpa’s Ice Cream Shop of which she was a part owner. Chloetta and Don would live and work for a time in Eau Claire, Wisconsin before returning to Galesburg. She would live at Seminary Village in Galesburg, and her final years at Rosewood in Dewitt, Michigan, near her daughter Becky.
She and her husband took the family on numerous vacation camping trips to such places as Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, New Mexico, and even to Scout Camp. They also enjoyed building new homes every few years, having had six new homes built in Galesburg over the years. Chloetta was a woman of faith, having been baptized, confirmed, and married, at Trinity Lutheran Church. She also led her family to faith at Trinity and her funeral will be held there as well.
Chloetta was preceded in death by her parents, several aunts and uncles, cousins, and her husband of 67 years, Don. She is survived by her brother Terrill (Susan) Johnson, nephews Chip, Tim, and Brett Johnson, cousin David (Gayle) Cratty, daughter Rebecca (Terry) Williamson, son Don (Judy) Kinney, five grandchildren: Erin, Katie, Liz, Seth, and Isaac, 13 great grandchildren and many cousins.
Chloetta’s family wishes to thank the staff of Rosewood in Dewitt, Michigan for the loving care she has received there for the past several years.
The family invites all who knew this loving woman, to gather at the visitation and funeral services which will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Galesburg on Saturday, February 14, 2026. Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Dr. Carrie Carnes will officiate. Burial will be next to Don in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. Hinchcliff-Pearson-West Funeral and Cremation Services of Galesburg is honored to serve the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
