Harry Eugene Keeney

On December 22, 1936, in a home in rural Edgar Springs, Missouri, a son was born to Melvin and Ida Lee (Lanning) Keeney, Harry Eugene Keeney was welcomed and loved by sisters Freda, Rosemarie and Barbara.

The family lived in Rolla, Missouri, where Harry graduated from Rolla High School in 1955.  Upon graduation he joined the Air Force and was ultimately stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in the 28th Field Maintenance Squadron until honorably discharged in 1959.

While at EAFB he met Elmer Biers and became an adoptive member of the family. He attended the Evangelical Free Church where he met the love of his life, Janet Marie Rosedahl.  They were married on June 14, 1960 and were able to celebrate their 60th anniversary. To this union were born Darryl Wayne, Darwin Dale, Dalen Troy and Jill Marie.

After his discharge from the Air Force, he was employed at a service station in Black Hawk, Neil’s Tire Service and Daum Brothers in Jones County (rural Okaton) where the “the country boy” could enjoy the ranch life. In 1986, it was needful to move back to Rapid City. He was employed by U-Haul for 25 years.

At age 16, he accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and expressed his love for the Lord in many ways. He served in several capacities in the churches he attended, served with Child Evangelism Fellowship, the Gideons and Camp Hallawasa.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; children Rev. Darryl (Anna), Bellevue, Neb., Darwin (Teresa), Laramie, Wyo., Dalen (Katie), Melstone, Mont., Jill (Shane) Vernon, Blytheville, Ark.; grandchildren, Jonathan (Beth), Alice Springs, Australia, David (Dallas), Plattsmouth, Neb.; Landon, Mitchell, Laramie, Wyo., Elyse, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Melanie, PNG (now in Mont.), Troy, Boise, Idaho, Sarah, Melstone, Mont., Nathan, Lewistown, Mont.; Michael “Alyx”, St. Paul, Minn, Marc, Blytheville, Ark.; 3 great-grandchildren; nieces; cousins; and special cousin, Alberta Bullock, Springfield, Mo.; the Biers family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents (losing his mother when he was 9 years old), his 3 sisters and their spouses; 3 nephews; in-laws, Ivan and Gertrude Rosedahl; adoptive parents, Elmer and Dorothy Biers.

At home, with family by his side, and the song “My Tribute” playing To God be the Glory he was ushered into heaven on October 22, 2020 at the age of 83 years, 10 months.

A memorial fund for Camp Hallawasa is set up.

Celebration of Life service was held on Sunday, November 8, 2020 at 1:30pm at Hills View Evangelical Free Church, Sturgis Rd., Piedmont, S.D.  The family will be available for visitation at 12:30pm. Inurnment was at Black Hills National Cemetery on Monday, November 9, 2020.

Family and friends may sign Harry’s online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com