Overland Park – Dr. Charles McElhinney, 81, died March 19, 2018 at the Forum in Overland Park, Kansas.  He was born on November 8, 1936 at Sylvia, Kansas the son of Frederick and Madge (Austin) McElhinney.

Dr. McElhinney graduated from Sylvia High School in 1954 and attended Hutchinson Junior College on a basketball scholarship. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Psychology in 1958 and later graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1962. Dr. McElhinney married Tamara L. Simpson on November 8, 1984, she survives. He worked as a general surgeon for 40 years in Dodge City. He enjoyed his firearms, Corvettes, reading and World War II history in his spare time.

He was a member of the Fellow of American College of Surgeons.

He is survived by his wife Tammy of the home, four sons Michael D. McElhinney of Pensacola, Florida; Patrick D. McElhinney of Seguin, Texas; Christian C. McElhinney and wife Lynne of Mission Hills, Kansas; Lance R. McElhinney and wife Susan of Denver, Colorado; one daughter Kelly A. St. Clair and husband Paxson of Mission Hills, Kansas; one step daughter Ashley R. Lonnberg and husband Joe of Lawrence, Kansas. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents two sisters Jane Enns, Nancy Beltz and one daughter-in-law Stacey McElhinney.

Funeral service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Monday March 26, 2018 at 10:00 AM with Mr. Jeff  Hiers presiding. Graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Monday, March 26, 2018 at the Sylvia Cemetery in Sylvia, Kansas.  Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Dodge City on Sunday, March 25, 2018 from 12:00 to 6:00 PM.  Memorials are suggested to Ford County Humane Society or KU Endowment, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, to benefit Rural Medicine at the KU School of Medicine. Online contributions may be made at www.kuendowment.org/give. Please indicate that donations are for the Charles McElhinney memorial.