Hale M. Keeney

Hale M. Keeney, age 96, of Belle, passed away Friday, January 30, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James.

Hale was born November 17, 1918, in Summerfield, a son to the late Lee and Ida Grace (Goodman) Keeney.

Hale attended school in Summerfield. On September 28, 1940, Hale was united in marriage to Imogene Elrod in Vienna. She preceded him in death on April 22, 2004.

Hale was inducted into the United States Army in 1943. He earned four Bronze Stars while serving in campaigns in Rhineland, Central Europe, Northern France and the Ardennes during World War II.

After his stay in the military, Hale went to work as a truck driver, a job he did for the rest of his working life.

He was a member of Pilot Knob Baptist Church and enjoyed buying and selling antiques.

Hale is survived by: two sons, Melvin Keeney and his wife Sheela of Belle and Wendell Keeney and his wife Kris of Belle; two grandchildren, Cherri Hinz and husband Rich and Curt Keeney; four great grandchildren, Ambrea, Richie, Levi and Shawna and husband Tom as well as two great great grandchildren, Daxton and Colton.

In addition to his wife of 63 year and his parents, Hale was preceded in death by one brother, Burna Keeney and one sister Faye Wiegers.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015, at the Pilot Knob Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dean Catlett officiating.

Interment with full military honors will be in the Pilot Knob Cemetery.

Expression of sympathy may be made to the Pilot Knob Cemetery,