Catherine Eilene “Katie” McKean

Catherine Eilene “Katie” McKean, 80, of Exeter passed away Friday, May 8, 2026 at Mercy Hospital Springfield.

She was born Feb. 26, 1946 in Seattle, Wash., the daughter of John and Yvonne (Allen) Murphy. On Oct. 16, 1981 in Elizabeth City, N.C. she was united in marriage to Jerrold McKean, who preceded her in death Nov. 4, 2013. Also preceding her in death were her parents; sisters, Yvonne Jones, Gail Eugena Zyto, and Margaret Ann Murphy and brothers-in-law, Greg Zyto and Leon Jones.

Surviving are her son John Owens and fiancée Cheri of Exeter; daughter Christine Hammers and husband Tony of Exeter; grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

She attended school in Norfolk, Va., graduating from Granby High School. Furthering her education, she attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, earning an associate degree in social work. She was employed as a switchboard operator at the naval base in Norfolk, as a police officer in the downtown Bay Tunnel in Norfolk, was a  social worker for Crossroads in Virginia, a delegate in Virginia and she worked at Piedmont in Crewe, Va. 

In 1996, she moved to Exeter from Green Bay, Va. She attended First Baptist Church in Cassville.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Cassville United Methodist Church in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Pastor Jeff Fugitt conducted the services. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter.