Clifford L. Keeling

Clifford Luewelyn Keeling, 91, of Clarion passed away Monday, January 26, 2009 at Wright Medical Center in Clarion.

Funeral services for Clifford Keeling will be held Friday, January 30, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the Clarion Church of Christ in Clarion with Rev. Warren Curry officiating.  Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.  Military graveside services will be provided by the Clarion American Legion and VFW Posts. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 29, 2009 from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, in Clarion and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Clifford, the son of William and Ruth (White) Keeling, was born May 5, 1917 in Clear Lake, Minnesota.  The family moved to Clarion when Clifford was a baby.  He grew up in the Clarion area living on farms that his parents were on.  Clifford worked as a farm hand until he went to Navy in 1942.  While serving his country, Clifford was stationed aboard the Battle Ship North Carolina and in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

Clifford was united in marriage to Irene Thurman on November 20, 1945 and with this union came five children; one son Joseph and four girls; Rosemary, Marsha, Nancy and Sally.

Following his marriage, Clifford worked around Clarion as a farmhand before moving to Riceville, Iowa in March of 1958 to work 50/50 on a farm.  In the fall of 1964 the couple bought a farm of their own in Aldrich, Minnesota and also worked for Surge Milking Equipment.  They sold the farm in 1974 and purchased a home in Staples, Minnesota; at that time he began working for a plumber in Staples.  During his time in Staples Clifford also had his own saw sharpening service.  The couple moved to Mt. Home, Arkansas in 1979 and lived there for 20 years returning to Clarion in June of 1999 to finish out his retirement.

Clifford is survived by his wife of 63 years, 2 months and 6 days Irene; one son Joseph (Susan) of Riceville, Iowa; three daughters Marsha (William) Owen of Staples, Minnesota, Nancy Shinabarger of Owatonna, Minnesota and Sally (Rodney) Roe of West Fargo, North Dakota; son-in-law Sherman Knox of Nevis, Minnesota; thirteen grandchildren; many great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Rosemary; grandson Sherman Knox, Jr.; two sisters and three brothers.