Keenan, John E.

Passed: 1965-05-22

Age: 86

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1965-05-28

Information: JOHN KEENAN, WIDELY KNOWN MERCHANT, DIES - John E. Keenan, 86-year old retired merchant, died at his home in Ripley Saturday afternoon after a long illness.  He had retired as manager of the O. J. Morrison store in Ripley because of failing health, although he remained on the Board of Directors.  He was a member of the Ripley A.F.&A.M. Lodge.  Mr. Keenan spent his boyhood in the Tug Fork section of Jackson county, and came to Ripley when a young man, as a barber.  Later he became associated with the late O. J. Morrison in the mercantile business and was quite successful.  He was a careful, shrewd business man, but was always found on the side of those supporting public improvement.  On many occasions he would give voice to his philosophy by saying ""Always favor public improvements, your business, or mine cannot grow unless the area we serve grows first.""  Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Lucy Keenan; a daughter, Mrs. Roberta Shontz; a granddaughter, Mrs. Raleigh Rogers, and two great-grandchildren.  Mr. Keenan was born March 29, 1879, a son of Andrew and Margaret Skidmore Keenan.  The funeral service was held on Monday afternoon at the Vail mortuary chapel with the Rev. Robert Evans officiating and the burial was in the Fairplain cemetery.