McKeag, James Benjamin 1877-1935

MCKEAG, ILLIAN, HUDNUTT, MORRISON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/3/2013 at 13:07:03

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Aug. 6, 1935

USEFUL LIFE OF
JAS. B. MCKEAG
REACHES CLOSE

James Benjamin McKeag, son of W.J. and Margaret McKeag, was born at Rock Island, Ill., January 22, 1877. When he was two years old the family moved to Brooklyn, Ia., and from there to Ewart, where he grew to manhood, receiving his education and regularly attending Sunday School. Later the family purchased a home near Montezuma. While they resided there Mr. McKeag made his home partly with his parents and partly with the A.J. Ewart family.

On December 20, 1905, he was joined in marriage to Genevieve Fredericka Illian. To this union seven children were born: Raymond and Harold, who died in infancy; Irma Margaret, who passed away at the age of nine; Kenneth Henry, Fern Louise, Earl James, and Kathryn Maxine, all of whom live at home and who with the widow are left to mourn his passing.

He also leaves three brothers, Dave McKeag of Marshalltown, William McKeag of Delta and Oliver McKeag of Hedrick. One sister also remains, Mrs. Elmer Hudnutt of Grinnell, who has done all she could possibly do to make it pleasant in his last illness. A half-sister, Mrs. William Morrison, passed away last August. Her sudden death was a great shock to him, and since he had been failing in health for several years, he began to grow steadily worse. On September 12 he suffered a stroke which left him practically blind. A week later another srtoke befell him. This brought about the return of his sight but paralyzed his speech and right side. Several months later he showed some improvement, but his lasted only a short time, and he gradually grew worse. After long moths of suffering he passed away quietly Wednesday morning at the age of 58 years, seven months and 18 days.

Jimmie, as he was known by his many friends, was of a kind, generous, unselfish disposition. He was always willing to do what he could for others and often went beyond his own strength to lend a helping hand. He was a great lover of children, and he was always happy when he had some little gift to put into some chubby hand. His little friends did not forget him. Hardly a day passed but that some little child called to see how he was in his last illness.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at two o'clock at the Presbyterian church at Malcom in charge of Rev. Mr. Grossheim. Appropriate songs were sung by Lewis Schilders, accompanied at the piano by Miss Ruth McClure. Pallbearers were Earl Lamb, Floyd Smith, Delmar Hanssen, Theo. Puls, Grover Eisele and Archie Wallis.

Those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Dave McKeag and family and Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Phipps of Marshalltown; Mrs. W.J. McKeag, Mr. and Mrs. James McKeag and Mrs. Keith Lemon of Delta; Oliver McKeag of Hedrick; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd White of Sigourney; Mr. and Mrs. John Kroehnke of Keystone; Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Illian and daughter Florence, of Davenport; Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Illian of Des Moines; Mrs. Frank Bunker of Newton; Mr. and Mrs. Nels Paulson and Mrs. Andrew Paulson of Kellogg.