Joseph Scott McKell, MD

     Joseph Scott McKell, MD, aged 95 years, died in the early hours of September 19 ,2021, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his six children and their spouses, Donald Graham (Sithan) McKell, Mary Elizabeth McKell, Helen Susan McKell, Anne McKell (Gary) Hoover, Martha McKell (Craig) Price, and Joanne Lucie McKell (Benjamin Seligman). Surviving grandchildren are Henry Carl Meier, Walter Graham Meier, Luke McKell Marriott, Samuel James Marriott, Daniel Scott Marriott, Erin Nicole Hoover, Kristen McKell Hoover, Eric Richard Hoover, Daniel Joseph Hoover, Megan McKell Price, Claire McKell Price, Rachael McKell Price, Max Joseph Seligman, and William Arieh Seligman. One great-grandson survives him, Jamie Graham Mueller.

     Joe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 8, 1926, to Estelle Coward and William Scott McKell. He was raised in Chillicothe, Ohio with his siblings, Robert (deceased), David, Helen (deceased), and Thomas. After one semester at the University of Colorado, he volunteered for the US Army and joined the 325th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 100th Infantry Division to push the German army from the Vosges mountains of eastern France. He was wounded in action on December 3rd , 1944, earning a Purple Heart medal. After convalescing in England, he returned to Germany as part of the Army of Occupation until honorably discharged in May 1946.

     Resuming his studies at the University of Colorado, he was drawn to the study of Medicine, graduating from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1953. Post-graduate training in the Stanford Surgical service took him to San Francisco, California, where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Mary Clerke Graham (deceased). Returning to Chillicothe with Mary to open a private medical practice, Joe joined the staff of Chillicothe Hospital, now Adena Medical Center, in 1957. He also founded McKell Anesthesiology, which formed an integral part of the growing Adena surgical department from 1973 to 1999. He continued practicing Family medicine until his license expired in 2018.

     Joe served as Chief of Staff of Chillicothe Hospital in 1962 and was an active member in the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA). He also served as Ross County Coroner from 1963-1968. He was a member of the Chillicothe Telephone Company (later Horizon Telecom) Board of Directors from 1983- 2001. He was confirmed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 1963 and remained an active parishioner until his death, serving on the financial committee, the Vestry, both Junior and Senior Warden, and a member of the church choir. Joe was a committed steward of his farm in western Ross Country where he raised cattle, corn, and soybeans with farmers Thomas and Linda Mitchell. Constantly learning and always curious, Joe spent his rare free hours tackling new projects including computer programming, building a backyard vineyard, mastering Civil War history, studying fine art, and taking piano lessons. He loved classical and choral music. Whenever possible, Joe sought the outdoors and throughout his life spent hours gardening, skiing, walking, swimming, camping, and studying wildlife. As he savored his life and the world around him, Joe also brought joy to his family and friends with his quiet humor, his never ending questions, and love of intellectual debate.

     A memorial service will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 33 East Main Street, Chillicothe, Ohio, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. For the safety of Joe’s family and friends, masks are required. The family would like to thank the staff of National Christian Residencies (NCR) for providing loving care and friendship during Joe and Mary’s last months and Ms. Talissa Kinney for her decades of loyal support and friendship.

     In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Vestry, located at 33 East Main Street, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601.

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