Joseph Francis Keeney (1891)

DOTY, KEENEY

Posted By: Kent Transier (email)
Date: 9/9/2014 at 13:52:47

Ringgold Record
May 1891

Obituary.

Died, at the home of his father-in-law, Mr. Sam'l Doty in this city, Saturday, May 16, 1891, Mr. J. F. Keeney in the 31st year of his age, from cancer on the face. He was born in Polk county, Iowa, June 7, 1860, was married to Miss Laura Doty Oct. 19th, 1879, who with two sons and a daughter now survives him.

The cancer first appeared on his lower lip and was cut out two years ago the 20th of this month. A year ago last August it appeared on his throat and kept getting rapidly worse until the 12th of last September, at which time he did his last work, the cancer having eaten nearly across the throat. He went to Eureka Springs, Ark., early in January, remaining seven weeks, but the treatment failing to benefit him, he came to his wife's parents to die, arriving in Mt. Ayr Feb. 27 last. His faithful wife was ever at his side, and his aged mother, Mrs. Esther Keeney, of Blue Ridge, Mo., was also present with him to the last ministering to his every want. The christian people of Mt. Ayr ably seconded their efforts.

All that could be done was done to alleviate his sufferings, but it was a battle without one ray of hope physically, and yet spiritually he was made perfect through suffering, giving a bright evidence of his acceptance of the Christian faith and a complete trust in God for all things. He was a hero and faced death unflinchingly, realizing that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. B. Thompson at the M. E. church Sunday, May 17th, at 11 o'clock, from 2d Corinthians 5:1, and the body which had known so much suffering but was now at rest was laid away in the south cemetery.
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Transcriber's note: The deceased grew up in Madison County, was married there and lived there for a few years after marriage.