Cheney residents, city employees, and Cheney Public Schools staff and former students are mourning the passing of P. Michael “Mike” McKeehan, who passed away suddenly at his home on July 19, 2012. 

 

Mike came from a long-time Cheney family. His parents were both teachers, his father having been a professor at Eastern Washington University. Mike graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania. He served as an Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

 

Mike is survived by his wife Judy; they have four children and twelve grandchildren.

 

Mike was a member of the City of Cheney Planning Commission prior to his election to the City Council in 1997. He served on the Cheney City Council for over 14 years, since January 1, 1998. He served as Mayor Pro Tem since 2010. He was appointed to numerous City Council committees and boards, including the Youth Commission. Mike also served as chair of the Hotel-Motel Tax Committee, which awarded grants to fund many community activities.  “Mike loved serving on the City Council and enjoyed making a difference in the community,” said Judy McKeehan. 

 

Mayor Tom Trulove stated: “Always principled, ever the loyal champion of Cheney and its kids, Mike was a very positive force in our community and a pleasure to work with. Few have devoted more of their lives to public service or cared more about their community. We all have suffered a great loss in his passing and will miss him greatly.”

 

Mike began his 25-year teaching career with the Cheney School District in September 1981. His first teaching assignment was at Salnave Elementary as a special education teacher and preschool teacher. The following years were filled with many teaching assignments throughout the district. Mike taught at Salnave, Reid and Betz Elementaries, including 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and preschool handicapped grade levels. He was also a language arts and math teacher at Cheney Junior High School. His last position before retirement in 2006 involved teaching students in the gifted program. Mike made time to teach the Latin language to elementary-age students, encouraging the children to explore word meanings based on Latin roots.  

 

Mike also served as the Cheney Education Association union president for a number of years, was a Special Olympics coach, and was a track and cross-country coach for the middle school.