Harley Keeney Jr.

July 1, 1928 — December 26, 2015

Harley Keeney Jr., 87, of Chariton, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Legacy Lodge in Chariton. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m.. Interment will be at the Chariton Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Church of the Nazarene in Chariton. Condolences may be shared at www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com. Harley was born on July 1, 1928 in Liberty Center, Iowa to Harley Sr. and Anna Keeney. He was one of eight children born to the couple. Harley attended Chariton Schools. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1946 until 1951. During that time, he was stationed in both Okinawa, Japan and the Philippine Islands. Harley was united in marriage to Elaine Harlene Shore on August 9, 1953 in Chariton, Iowa. Little did his father-in-law know, when Harley married his precious daughter, just how well he would shelter, protect, and provide for his lifetime sweetheart. Harley and Elaine were blessed with three children: Bruce Raymond, Brian Lynn, and Teresa Anette. Harley was a very generous, caring and compassionate man, husband, father, and friend. He took care of other's needs his entire life. Harley was a master carpenter, homebuilder, cabinet maker, and handyman extraordinaire. He was also a plumber, electrician, and painter if that's what the day called for. Harley built two new homes for his family. His children were raised in these homes and he and Elaine spent 62 years of marriage under their roofs. Harley was never scared of doing 'behind the scenes' work. He knew that both the skilled and unskilled tasks in completing a day's work were needed to produce the finished product. He worked long, long hours to make sure that his family's needs were met. He would usually head back to a job in the evenings after stopping by the house for a quick supper and an update with Walter Cronkite's Daily News. He helped to develop the Rathbun Lake area in the late 1960's and early 1970's. He took his children to watch President Nixon land by helicopter to dedicate the Rathbun Dam in 1971. He was proud to work for the Lazy Daz Ranch Estates home development, but it was his work as a Hy-Vee maintenance and cabinet shop manager that proved to be his careers calling. The name 'Harley' meant a lot in the Hy-Vee world. It meant that the job called for skill, innovation, and a 'do whatever it takes' attitude. Harley did all that he could to steer younger people down the right path, whether it made him popular with them or not. He was well aware that doing the right thing wasn't always the most comfortable thing to do, but that it produced the best outcome in the end. Harley was a mountain of a man and a rock for all that were fortunate enough to have known him. He will be forever loved and remembered with great admiration for who he was and what he stood for. Harley is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elaine Keeney of Chariton; children: Bruce Raymond Keeney (Becky) of Jefferson, Iowa, Brian Lynn Keeney (Becky) of Leon, Iowa, and Teresa Anette Keeney of Chariton; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and sisters: Carol Fullerton of Orlando, Florida, Francis Schneider of Brenham, Texas, and Louise Turner of Kansas City, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley Sr. and Anna; brothers, Harold and Glenn; and sisters, Colleen and Francene. Cemetery Details Chariton Cemetery HWY 14 and HWY 34
Chariton, IA 50049

Visitation

DEC 30. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Chariton

914 Roland Ave

Chariton, IA 50049

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com

Service

DEC 30. 11:00 AM (CST)