Kenealy, Raymond J. 1923-2009

KENEALY, SCHIERBROCK, MOHATT

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/12/2009 at 14:29:56

From: Mauer Johnson Earnest Funeral Home, March 12, 2009

Raymond J. Kenealy, 85, of Kingsley, Iowa, passed away Monday evening, March 9, 2009, at the Kingsley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kingsley with the Rev. Mark J. Stoll officiating. Interment will be in the St. Michael’s Parish Cemetery with military honors provided by the Nash American Legion Post 140 of Kingsley. Visitation will be held at the Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley on Thursday, March 12, 2009 from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. The Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. followed by a Scriptural Prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. The visitation will continue on Friday morning at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church, one hour prior to Ray’s service.

Raymond Jerome Kenealy was born on August 25, 1923, near Neola, Iowa, the son of Jerome D. and Florence A. (Schierbrock) Kenealy. He was the first-born of five children and raised on the family farm. While in high school, Ray was the captain of the basketball team and graduated among the class of 1942 from Beebeetown High School.

Ray was inducted into the United States Army on January 23, 1943 from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and served his country during WWII as a gunner in the B-17’s. Cpl. Kenealy was honorably and formally discharged from his military duties on January 1, 1947 from Offutt Field, Fort Crook, Nebraska. Ray continued his devotion to the military, enlisting into the National Guard of Nebraska on January 2, 1947, and on December 8, 1948, was honorably discharged from his Guard duties.

On November 15, 1944, Ray was united in marriage to Rosaline A. Mohatt at the Holy Angels Catholic Church in Omaha, NE. Ray and Rosaline treasured many years of square dancing and developed numerous life-long friends while attending dances in the area. They both served as presidents of the “Kingsley Swingers Square Dancing Club.” They also enjoyed years of camping and looked forward to hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration in their home, complete with all green foods! Ray was extremely proud of his Irish heritage! Ray was engaged in farming in the Neola, IA area until 1958, when he chose to accept an employment opportunity at the Neola Implement Co.

In 1966, Ray and his family relocated to the Pierson area, where he worked at Pierson Implement and later as a seed salesman for 4 Star Seeds, from which he retired.

Ray was the Pierson town clerk for several years and a member of both, the Neola and Pierson volunteer fire departments. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Nash American Legion Post 140, all of Kingsley.

Some of Ray’s other interests included reading, collecting John Deere memorabilia, visiting with friends and attending family gatherings, watching sporting events, especially, cheering for the Cubs and the Vikings, and going for drives to “check out the crops.” Ray was known for his wonderful sense of humor! He was devoted to and cherished his family and his Catholic faith! Ray will be dearly missed by all who have shared in his life.

He is survived by his four children, Janet and Jim Cattoni of Omaha, NE, Terry and Judy Kenealy of York, NE, Larry and Deb Kenealy of Grinnell, IA and Rita and Dennis Conry of Moville, IA; one sister, Mary Catherine O’Rourke of Missouri Valley, IA; three brothers, Phil and Pat Kenealy of Creston, IA, Tom and Joanne Kenealy of Council Bluffs, IA and Leo and Joann Kenealy of Minden, IA; his sister-in-law, Patty Montgomery of Omaha, NE; 12 grandchildren, Scott (Lisa) Cattoni, Tracy (John) Kennedy, Jennifer (Tom) Kazmierczak, Michelle Kenealy, Brian Kenealy, Lynn Kenealy, Kevin Kenealy, Stephanie Kenealy, Angela (Ryan) Haggin, Gordy (Heather) Johnson, Heath (Amy) Johnson and Shannon (Tim) Kohn.; 16 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. Preceding Ray in death is his wife, Rosaline Kenealy in 1992 and his parents, Jerome and Florence Kenealy.