Obituary of Samuel McKinstry

Sam McKinstry died of heart failure on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, in State College. He was 58 years old. Born in Centre County, he was a son of Herbert A. McKinstry of State College and the late Jean McKinstry. He grew up in State College where his father was a faculty member of The Pennsylvania State University. Sam was a painting contractor for schools and businesses in and around State College. Sam was an accomplished musician and enjoyed playing a variety of instruments in a variety of genres, including jazz, blues and country music. He loved history, steam engine locomotives, his family and the company of many friends. Sam married Rebecca Gladfelter on Valentine's Day, 1987. Along with Rebecca, he is survived by his father, Herbert A., a brother Herbert L., his wife Susan, and their children Aileen and Nathan of State College; his sister Nancy Parks of State College and her children Sarah Williams and Timothy Parks, his sister Julia McKinstry and her husband Ian Gallacher of New York, and stepsons Joshua Gessler, his wife Lisa, and their daughters Alexandra and Katerina, and Jesse Gessler, his wife Melissa, and their children Jared and Hannah, all of Virginia. Friends and family will be received from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2011, at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. His memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Brent Book officiating. Burial will be at Centre County Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, 305 N. Church St., Boalsburg, PA 16827.