Dear Family,

I wish to express my sincere condolences on the passing of Joe. I never met him, but heard a lot about him from my wife Staci. I wish I would have taken the time to get to know him. During this difficult time for your family, I would like to extend a helping hand if you will have it, so please don't hesitate to call us for any reason.

Ralph & Staci DiBenedetto

Dear Joan,
I was so sorry to hear about your dad passing. I know you two were close and you spent alot of time caring for your dad in the last few years and I'm saddened for you. I understand how hard is to lose your dad and I will always be here should you need to talk. I plan on stopping by tonight and I look forward to meeting Mary. Take care and if you need anything PLEASE let me know.

Ellie,
Wes and I were so sorry to hear about your loss. Your marriage and family have been an inspiration to many people. Our prayers are with you. The one blessing you have are the beautiful memories you have with Joe.
Wes and Sandy Krummrich

Dear Family,
I knew Joe McKinstray way, way back. Probably one of the few people in the area that still recall Joe and his family. Joe was a FBI agent here along with Walt Maley and a number of other people. I can assure you Joe was a tenacious investigator back in those days. As I recall, he seemed to specialize in stolen cars and bank robberies. I know if you stole a car or robbed a bank, you didn't want Joe on the case. Joe was a fine husband and father and you should all be proud of him. Please accept our most sincere sympathy on behalf of myself and my wife Audrey. Sheriff Mearl J. Justus, St. Clair County, Il

Dear Ellie and Family

Along with the pilots from the Flying Dutchman Airport, Rainey and I extend our heartfelt condolences.

We will always treasure Joe's friendship, and he will live on in our memories. We still retell his many flying and FBI stories, and share his biography Stateside Hero with his many friends.

Joe will continue to be an icon in flying due to his accomplishments as a pilot in the US Army Air Force, and as a pilot and builder of an E.A.A. aircraft.

Joe was a AAF stateside hero and his final flight to the West will be made with the best of tailwinds.

Please read the High Flight scroll at Wednesday's service.

Dear Ellie and Family

Along with the pilots from the Flying Dutchman Airport, Rainey and I extend our heartfelt condolences.

We will always treasure Joe's friendship, and he will live on in our memories. We still retell his many flying and FBI stories, and share his biography Stateside Hero with his many friends.

Joe will continue to be an icon in flying due to his accomplishments as a pilot in the US Army Air Force, and as a pilot and builder of an E.A.A. aircraft.

Joe was a AAF stateside hero and his final flight to the West will be made with the best of tailwinds.

Please read the High Flight scroll at Wednesday's service.

Ellie, just wanted to let you know that my thoughts are with you and your family. John Rule

Dear Ellie and family,
I have such wonderful memories from your family. Mary and I spent many years together at High Mount School only for me to return and spend many years working with Ellie. I still remember our 7th grade field trip that Joe arranged for us. How many kids can say they got to "visit" Menard Prison.
God bless all of you. Joe was a great person and he will be missed.
Love, Sue

Elle and family
Jim and I and all our family would like to extend our condolances. We will keep you in our prayers. You and Joe were always good neighbors to us when we lived in Swansea.

Mary and Joanie,

I am so sorry for the loss of your father, but do remember all the wonderful times that you shared with him, and the love that he gave the both of you.
He sounds like a remarkable man and father, and the both of you are so lucky that you had such a wonderful person in your life to influence you growing up.
I will be in touch.

Nancy Szymialis

My sympathy to the entire McKinstray Family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Mary and Joan,

I am so sorry for your loss. Please let me know if I can do anything. Also, please pass along my heartfelt sympathy to your mother.

Ellie and family:

My deepest sympathy on Joe’s passing. As you know Ellie, Joe was the guy who recruited me for the FBI. As we joked many times, I left terrifying times as a teacher at High Mount School for the safety of fighting crime in such boring places as Washington DC and New York City. We shared the brotherhood of fellow Agents and remembered “the good old days”. We even talked about flying once and a while. Joe was a class guy, a great Agent and a good friend. As a pilot and former Agent, I suspect the “war” stories will now get better if not more exaggerated. You know…..old Agents (and pilots) never die….they just move on to tell their stories to someone new.

He was privileged to be part of a great outfit,…and the Bureau was lucky to have him.

He will be missed.

We were saddened to hear of Joe's passing. He was a dear friend and definitely a special man. We spent many an afternoon with Joe and Ellie reminiscing and listening to Joe regale us with stories of his FBI days and his World War II flying times. We loved hearing Joe tell about his adventures. His autobiography is one of our most treasured books. Joe always seemed larger than life to us and will always be with us in our hearts.

Ellie and family,
So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. My condolences to all of you. My prayers will be with you.
Janet Bauer
High Mount School

In the 70s, my brothers and I lived across the street from Mr. McKinstray on 15th Street in Swansea. Mr. McKinstray was a good neighbor to us, and in some ways a substitute grandfather. We would hang out with him and talk with him when he was working in his yard. I remember him telling us stories about working for the FBI, and of course, driving these strange little cars that turned out to be among the first Honda Civics in the area. He came to High Mount School when I was in the 8th grade to talk about careers in the FBI. Mrs. McKinstray, I hope you know that you and your husband added some stability to what was a fairly unstable life for three boys. I am sorry for your loss, and hope that you and Mr. McKinstray were able to enjoy a well-deserved retirement together.

Don't know what to say. We lost
a friend and Sat. lunch buddy.
I wish I had known him longer.
May he walk in beauty forever.
Prayers and Beads. Can't hurt.
God Bless and keep him safe.
Joe C. Sp/4 Ret.

We have just lost a great man. Any one who has read his book "Stateside Hero" realizes the depth to this man. At the State Fair this year as those in the past Joe and I spent some great time together with his recollections and perspectives. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Another great man from our country's greatest era has passed and our country is richer for the likes of him.