Doris McKernan

Doris Ann (Yockey) McKernan 87, died Sunday, March 23, 2025, at home in Emporia, Kansas. Doris was born on July 12, 1937, in El Dorado, Arkansas, to Conway Edwin Yockey and Grace Baker Connors Yockey. Doris and Edward J. McKernan III were married on June 13, 1959, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Topeka, Kansas. He preceded her in death on June 21, 2011. Doris and her family moved to Topeka in 1941, where she attended Lowman Hill Elementary and Boswell Junior High and graduated from Topeka High School in 1955. Doris was an accomplished athlete, playing for Smith Plumbing and Ohse Meats softball teams. She was named Lake Shawnee MVP in 1958. Doris also played competitive basketball for the Santa Fe Streamliners from 1953-1955. Doris graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Washburn University in 1959 where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She also graduated from Washburn with an associate degree in Paralegal Studies in 1989. In 1984, Doris was the second woman inducted into the Washburn University Athletics Hall of Fame and received the University’s Lila Day Monroe Alumni Association Award in 2008. Doris also served on the Washburn University Alumni Association Board. Doris was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was a past member of the Sacred Heart School Board, and was a member of the ESPI committee. Doris is survived by her children, E.J. (Kathy) McKernan IV of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Michael McKernan of Topeka, Connie (Steve) Tilton of Berryton, Kansas, Catherine (Deven) Hull of League City, Texas, William (Sarah) McKernan of Emporia, and Daniel McKernan of Emporia; grandchildren, Edward and Tucker McKernan, Emily and Michael (April) Tilton, Mallory and Gabriel Hull, Kayla, Caroline and Kathryn McKernan, and Hannah and Michael Stump; and great-granddaughter, Eleanor Tilton. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her brother, Conway Yockey, Jr. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church, 27 Cottonwood Street, Emporia, KS 66801, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2025, in Mount Calvary Cemetery, 801 SW Westchester Road, Topeka KS 66606. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or the Edward & Blanche McKernan, Jr. Scholarship Fund at Emporia State University or the Conway and Grace Yockey Scholarship Fund at Washburn University, and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Doris McKernan

July 12, 1937 - March 23, 2025