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

She was born February 26, 1946 in Seattle, Wash., the daughter of John and Yvonne (Allen) Murphy, who preceded her in death.

Also preceding her in death was  her husband, Jerrold McKean; sisters, Yvonne Jones, Gail Eugena Zyto, and Margaret Ann Murphy and brothers-in-law, Greg Zyto and Leon Jones.

Survivors include her son, John Owens and fiancée Cheri of Exeter; daughter, Christine Hammers and husband Tony of Exeter; seven grandchildren, and nine 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 made a majority of the costumes for the Passion of the Christ production in Cassville and was very politically motivated. She attended First Baptist Church in Cassville.

Memorial services were held 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, Mo.

Contributions may be made to Haven of the Ozarks in memory of Katie.