Ret. Major Charles F. ("Chick") McKinley, USAF, 78 of Landenberg, PA passed peacefully on January 13, 2019.Chick was born in Wilmington, the son of Irene (McGovern) and Charles F. McKinley. He was a 1958 graduate of Salesianum School and a 1963 graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in political science. He worked as a systems analyst for the Franklin Mint and then for Boeing for over 30 years, and he also served for 28 years with the Delaware Air National Guard, including service during Operation Desert Storm, when he was stationed in Germany.Chick is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patsy (Dineen) McKinley; his 4 children and their spouses " Charles F. "Chuck" McKinley, Jr. (Tracy) of Hockessin, J. Patrick McKinley (Matt Wilhelm) of Kennett Square, PA, Michael D. McKinley (Angie) of Elkton, MD, and Megan C. McKinley-Lee (Jason) of Northeast, MD; his 7 grandchildren " Heather, Ian, Maggie, Emma, Erin, Ashlyn, and Shaelyn; his brother, H. Stephen McKinley, and sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Robert Lennon, all of Wilmington; and 4-legged friend Ella of Landenberg.Chick will be remembered as a loving husband, "Dad," and "PopPop" who worked tirelessly to provide for his family. He loved history, especially military history, was an avid Phillies fan, and his nose was always in a book (usually about history or with an Irish theme). We thank him for and will miss driving excursions to Cape Cod, other places in New England, and Florida; vacations in Ireland and Bermuda; Cub Scout camping trips in the wilderness when we were scared and he protected us; soccer teams that he managed and soccer games he never missed; airport runs whenever anyone came home; weeks in Ocean City that passed too quickly; morning runs to Wawa and Dot's; afternoon escapes to the Venetian and the Borgata; poker nights when he wore sunglasses and a baseball hat to conceal badly-dealt hands; train rides on the Wilmington & Western; picnics on trails in the woods; trips to Dover to see and appreciate Air Force planes; jaunts to Boomers for video games and laser tag; Easter egg hunts; a pristine 2007 Honda Fit that we will take good care of; and the running list that he kept in his pocket notebook of what needed to be bought on the next grocery run (indicative of how he made sure everyone had what they needed and wanted). With him, silence was comfortable and nothing needed to be spoken. We know that four-legged friends Tiffany, Remington, and Abagail are waiting for him and will shower him with the attention he always gave to them. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Delaware Hospice for their care and compassion, especially Laura, Michael, and Matt. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 28, 2018 at the MEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington 12:30 PM, where friends may visit after 11 AM. Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19802 or Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KN 66675-8517. Mealeyfuneralhomes.com