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Jeremy David McKinnis, age 40, of Blair, passed away Jan. 9, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church. Graveside services will be held in the Blair Cemetery. Services provided by Campbell Aman Funeral Home.

Jeremy was born on July 24, 1981 in Blair, the son of David McKinnis and Kerrie Anderson. He was raised in Blair and attended Blair Community Schools where he wrestled from when he was young all through high school. He met the love of his life, Nicole Larimore when he was in the seventh grade. Jeremy graduated from Blair High School in 2000. He then attended Southeast Community College in Milford where he was on the Dean’s List, earning his degree in business construction management. After graduation, Jeremy returned to Blair to work with his father at McKinnis Roofing and Sheet Metal. He became the president of the company in the Fall of 2021.

On June 17, 2006, Jeremy was united in marriage to Nicole at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church in Blair. The couple were blessed with two children: Boston and Claire. Following his grandfather and father’s footsteps, Jeremy became a dedicated member of the Blair Fire and Rescue Squad where he served for 10 years. Jeremy was a member of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church. Jeremy enjoyed hunting with family and friends, golfing, spending time at the lake and traveling to Florida. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Jeremy especially cherished the time he spent with Nicole, Boston and Claire on family adventures that he would plan. Jeremy will always be remembered for his love of people, his willingness to help others and his passion for life.

He is survived by his wife Nicole, son Boston, daughter Claire, father Dave (Kathy) McKinnis, mother Kerrie (Bob) Anderson, grandmother Alice Miller; siblings: Jamie (Orlando) Cueva, Anne (David) Sopke, Bobby (Codi) McKinnis and Bryan McKinnis; In-laws Rose and Jerry Bostwick; brothers-in-law: Troy, Dominic, Matt, Tony and Luke; sister-in-law Jennifer; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Clair and Gwen McKinnis and Bob Miller; uncle Dan McKinnis, and aunt Lori Svendgard.

Memorials may be directed to St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church or the Blair Fire and Rescue.

#2-Published in the Enterprise January 14, 2023

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By Elizabeth A. Elliott - news@enterprisepub.com

Father to Boston and Claire, and described as an all-around good guy, Jeremy McKinnis leaves behind his family and family business. He died Jan. 9 at age 40.

Born and raised in Blair, he could be found with his family, teaching his children hunting and fishing, or entertaining his coworkers. He became president of McKinnis Roofing and Sheet Metal in the fall of 2021, a company started by his family. Jeremy began his career as a gutter installer and worked his way up in the company. He served as a residential manager, as well.

“He was a problem solver. He liked tough jobs that had a lot of detail in it,” said his uncle, and coworker, Dave Scott. “He was detail oriented. He liked challenges and helping people out. He was loved by his staff and he always came to work with a smile on his face.” Scott said Jeremy had a contagious laugh-talk that he would do which raised peoples’ spirits.

“He was not afraid to dive in and help people out,” he said. “He was an avid outdoorsman – hunting, fishing, golfing. He was an all around good guy.”

Bringing a laugh was something that Jeremy would often do, according to Scott.

“He would do his Fire Marshall Bill impersonation to lighten the spirits of everyone and was the type of the guy who would call his employees up to take them frog hunting,” he said.

Scott said Jeremy had a huge smile on his face all the time.

“He had the gift of gab,” he said. “Everyone that knew when he said ‘hey, you got a minute,’ that meant get comfortable.”

Scott said Jeremy was always looking out for the employees.

“He was surrounded by a lot of family at work – brother, brother in law, sister, wife, aunt, dad, uncle, a couple nephews,” Scott said. Jeremy would volunteer when he had time for Habitat for Humanity and other projects like No Roof Left Behind.

“He was very much into that,” Scott said. “He was very family oriented and was very active in the community.”

Assistant Fire Chief Joe Leonard attested to Jeremy’s time on the Blair Volunteer Fire Department, where he served 10 years, including time spent as a captain for a few years.

“He was a humble young man,” Leonard said. “He looked up to his grandpa Clair and his dad was in the department at one point.”

Leonard said Jeremy put his experience with homes to good use.

“One of the most fond memories I have with him was at a call south of town at a chimney fire with snow and ice. I was getting up on the roof, stepped on the roof and almost went off,” Leonard said. “Jeremy, being the expert roof guy from McKinnis, climbed up and stood on top of the chimney. How he got up there is beyond me.”

Leonard said Jeremy was always their go-to roof guy.

“He loved teaching members about roofs,” Leonard said. “He said if there’s anything to do with cutting holes on the roof to let him know.

Leonard said Jeremy never seemed to be upset at anything.

“He was a happy go lucky, quiet guy,” he said.

Leonard said he and a group traveled and did water fights and Jeremy was involved with that in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

“He always said he would never be able to live up to his grandfather’s devotion to the fire department,” Leonard said. “He was passionate about training, working with new people and making sure they knew what to do.”

#3 Printed with photo of large American flag in the January 18, 2022 Pilot-Tribune

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A monumental American Flag flag was suspended above the Two Rivers Bank parking lot along Highway 30 in view of the funeral procession for Jeremy McKinnis Jan. 15. McKinnis served with the Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue department for 10 years and was the president of McKinnis Roofing and Sheet Metal Company.

#4) Funeral leaflet

In Loving Memory of Jeremy David McKinnis

Born July 24, 1981 Blair, Nebraska ~ Entered Into Rest January 9, 2022 Omaha, Nebraska

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am Saturday, January 15, 2022 St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Father Damien Wee. Organist: Clare Cowing. Vocalist: Sarah Byrne. Musical Selections: “Here I Am Lord”, “On Eagles’ Wings”, “In The Arms of God”, “Be Not Afraid”, “Song of Farewell”, “Amazing Grace”

Pallbearers: Bobby McKinnis, Orlando Cueva, Troy Bostwick, Luke Bostwick, Ross Costantino, Chris Sebade

Honorary Pallbearers: Bryan McKinnis, Tony Larimore, Dominic Larimore, Matt Bostwick

Final Resting Place: Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

#5 Printed in the Friday, August 26, 2022 Enterprise

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A bench donated in honor of Jeremy McKinnis reflects his service on both the Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad as well as the Vistage Peer Advisory Board. The Vistage board, which provides guidance to those in leadership roles, donated the bench on Aug. 18.

(photo of people standing by/sitting on bench in front of red Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue vehicle)

The Vistage Peer Advisory Board recently donated a bench in honor of Blair firefighter Jeremy McGinnis, who passed away earlier this year. McKinnis served on both the fire department and the Vistage Peer Advisory Board for several years. Pictured are, from left: (front row) McKinnis' children, Boston and Clair McKinnis and (back row) McKinnis' wife, Nicole, father Dave, Vistage chair Janet Walker and Vistage board members Chad Adams, Amanda Benes and Matt Ristow.

~~~Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #235790377