McKeegan, John 1869-1953

MCKEEGAN, DIEHL

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/7/2016 at 17:09:19

Three well-known residents of the Rock Valley community passed away the first part of the week and funeral services were held for them Tuesday and Wed. afternoon. Sunday John McKeegan and John G. De Boer passed away.
Funeral services for Mr. McKeegan were held Tuesday afternoon and for Mr. Haupt and Mr. De Boer Wednesday afternoon.
John McKeegan who was born Feb. 11, 1869 at Cushendall, County Antrim, Ireland, died on Sunday, May 3 at Rock Valley, after a five months illness.
He was one of nine children born to John and Mary Ann McKeegan. At the age of seventeen he came to this country. He farmed for a few years south of Rock Valley until his death. In 1895 he was married in Spring Green Wisc. to Alvina Diehl. To this union 5 children were born, Cloy, Stanley and Ethel of Rock Valley, Lucile, Mrs. M. E. Schirmer of Sioux Falls, and James who died in service during the influenza epidemic in World War I.
Besides his wife and three children, he is survived by three grandchildren, James of Oak Park Ill., Margaret McKeegan of Ames, Michael John Schirmer of Sioux Falls, and by one great-grandchild, James Cloy McKeegan of Oak Park, He is also survived by one brother and two sisters in Ireland.
Mr. McKeegan had always taken an active part in community activities. He was a charter member of the Farmers Elevator and Farmers Lumber companies and served on the boards of both. He also held office in the Community Oil Company. He helped to organize and hold office for many years in the Lyon County Farm Bureau and took part in the administrating of the AAA farm program during 1933, '34 and '35. In 1930 he received recognition as one of the master farmers of Iowa.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the Methodist church of Rock Valley with Rev. Maurice Jones officiating. Music was given by a quartet from Doon Congregational church which includes Henry Hoogeveen, Leonard Nagle, Galene Lawrence, and George Scholten. Mrs. Cleon Lawrence was the accompanist.
Pallbearers were Clarence McKeegan, Paul Hauser, Martin Cuilinan, Frank McGill, Clarence Schemmer and Walter McNamara. Burial was in the Valley View cemetery at Rock Valley with Vander Ploeg Funeral Service in charge.

Source: Rock Valley Bee 5/7/1953