William R. McKeen died at his home in this city at 3:30 Monday morning, June 26th, after an illness of several weeks with heart trouble.

He was born at Buffalo, New York May 3, 1866, and was therefore 56 years, one month and 23 days old. He moved with his parents to Quincy, Ill. while still quite young. He came to Nebraska and settled at Blair in 1887, and about one year later (September 25, 1883) he and Miss Cora Parish were married. To this union was born one son, Roy.

Mr. MKeen worked for the Missouri Valley Bridge Co. for awhile, later he and E. S. Durant went into the ice business in which he continued for a number of years. Mr. McKeen was an Odd Fellow and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He was, as we often say, a self-made man, hard working and tried to follow the golden rule. His neighbors say they have never known him to do an ill turn to anyone. He was a great lover of children, and is probably known by as many small children as any other man in the country. He loved his home, his family , and was a good neighbor, a fine citizen. He loved nature, the great outdoors of the world. Mr. McKeen seemed to realize he could not get well, for he told his wife he had things fixed up, and it really mattered little to him whether he got well or not. He seemed to have no fear, and with a remarkable calmness, slipped away into the unknown, leaving his wife and son and many other relatives and friends in sorrow. The funeral was held at the residence on South street at 3 o’clock, Rev. J. A. Johnson, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. The pallbearers were Louis Farnberg, C. A. Schmidt, A. F. Gray, F. L. Schafter, John Newell and Carl Schmidt.

#2-29 June, 1922 - The Enterprise

WILLIAN R. McKEEN

William R. McKeen, one of the best known men in this community, died at his home in this city on Monday, June 26.

Deceased was born in Buffalo, N.Y. May 3, 1866, and was thus 56 years, 1 month and 23 days old at his death.

When but a small boy, he moved with his parents to Quincy, Ill. and in 1887 he came to Blair where he has since made his home.

He was married to Miss Cora Parish Sept. 25, 1888, and to them one son, Roy, was born, and who with his mother is left to mourn the loss of a loving husband and parent.

Mr. McKeen was a good citizen, a good friend and a good neighbor, and in his dealings with his brother men he was honorable in every way, and he leaves a host of friends who will miss his kindly good nature and his cheerful manner.

The funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock from the home with Rev. J. A. Johnson officiating.

Being both an Odd Fellow and an M.W.A., those two orders had charge, and the beautiful burial ceremonies of these two orders were used.

The pallbearers were Carl and Chris Schmidt, Louis Farnberg, John Newell, Frank Gray and Frank Schafer.

#3-29 June, 1922 - The Tribune - William R. McKeen

WM. R. McKEEN HAS BEEN SUMMONED TO LIFE BEYOND

William R. McKeen passed away at his home on east South street Monday morning, June 26 1922, aged 56 years, one month and 23 days.

Mr. McKeen had been in poor health for several months, and for the past few weeks had been suffering more or less from heart trouble, and the family had known for some time that his stay with them was short.

William R. McKeen was born in Buffalo, New York May 3, 1866, and came with his parents to Quincy, Ill. when he was a small boy. In 1887 he came to Blair and has since made this place his home. He was married on September 25, 1888 to Miss Cora Parish of this city, and to them was born one son, Roy.

Mr. McKeen was employed for a number of years by the Missouri Valley Bridge Company, but afterwards he and E. S. Durant formed an ice company, and he engaged in this work for a number of years. He was recognized as a hard working man, a lover of home and family and was never happier than when in the midst of his own family and with his two little granddaughters whom he idolized, and in return was deeply loved by them. He was fond of horses and up to a few years ago always kept a fine team. He was a lover of nature, of all things good and beautiful and used for his chart and compass the Golden Rule. He was a good neighbor, an agreeable companion and associate, and his death will be deeply felt in Blair in general as well as in his own family.

Mr. McKeen was a member of the I.O.OF. and Modern Woodman lodges. Funeral services were held at the family home at 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon and were largely attended by friends, acquaintances and neighbors who held him in high esteem.

Rev. J. A. Johnson gave a short talk at the house and at the grave. Carl and Chris Schmidt, Louie Farnberg, John Newell, Jr., Frank Gray and Frank Schafer officiated as pallbearers, and a mixed quartet composed of Miss Ethel Mead, Don C. VanDeusen, Mr. W. H. Myers and Dr. C. R. Mead sang a number of favorite selections with Miss Gertrude Mead at the piano. All who assisted in the services were old time friends and neighbors who regarded the deceased highly for his natural worth.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #117241100