Joseph D. Keenan

STERLING – Joseph D. Keenan, 90, of Sterling, died Thursday, March 12, 2015, at his home.

He was born Aug. 17, 1924, in Amboy, the son Joseph and Mayme (Branigan) Keenan. He was a veteran of World War II, entering the Army Air Corps on Aug. 19, 1942. He flew several missions on a bomber as a staff sergeant radio operator, and was shot down and taken as a prisoner of war by the Germans. He was discharged on Oct. 28, 1945. He married Ione Wells on Feb. 8, 1947, at St. Patrick Church in Amboy. Joe was a clerk at the Sterling post office for more than 30 years before retiring. He was a very proud member of AA for more than 30 years, and had worked with and was a speaker to prisoners at the Ogle County Jail. Joe was a member of Sterling American Legion Post 296 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8455. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

Surviving are his wife, Ione; two sons, Terry (Heidi) Keenan of Portland, Oregon, and Patrick (Rhonda) Keenan of Phoenix; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling, with the Rev. Scott Porter of Abiding Word Church officiating. McDonald Funeral Home & Crematory in Rock Falls is handling arrangements.