Biopic of John H. MacAleney, father of Dr Dave Menke

John Hillis MacAleney was born May 31, 1911 in Springfield, Illinois. He was the son of Edward and Elsie MacAleney.

(John is NOT a Menke, but is included here only because he is the father of Dr Dave Menke. Further information about John MacAleney and his family will be found in a blog about the MacAleney family).

The photo shows John MacAleney, Dorothy Menke, and David Menke in late 1953.

John grew up in a rough household, running away from home at age 16. When he was 18, he got married for the first time. That marriage was annulled after a year, and later he married again. His second wife died of a brain tumor. Then in 1950, he married Dorothy Menke and they had one child, David Menke.

John and Dorothy were divorced in 1957, and John re-married, having 3 daughters. John died of emphysema and heart problems in 1979.

John spent most his career, from 1931 - 1972, in the armed forces. First, he was in the Illinois National Guard. Then, in 1941, he was transferred to the United States Army where he worked in the Air Corps. After World War II, John became part of the Air Force and was a quartermaster and Master Sergeant.