Norman Dwaine Keeney

Norman Dwaine Keeney, 87, passed away peacefully at his Boonville home on Monday, November 13, 2017. He was born August 2, 1930, to Grover and Ada (Swaithes) Keeney on their Caldwell County, MO family farm. Norman was one of nine children, he had three sisters and five brothers.  He often told stories from his youth, of his first coon hunting expedition with his stepfather, Walter Coshow at the age of 6, and working his two old mules on the family farm.  In 1948, Norman completed high school in Kingston, MO, and worked construction jobs before joining the United States Marine Corps in 1952.  He completed boot camp in San Diego and trained to become an aviation mechanic in Florida.  He concluded his service in 1954 and began his 40 year career in the life insurance business.  Norman worked 20 years for Washington National, and another 20 for Monumental Life Insurance Companies, both as an agent and manager.

In 1955 Norman married Joan Dorothy Jose who had immigrated to the United States from England with her family in 1951.  They lived in Kansas City and together they had two children, Michael D. Keeney and Stephanie L. Keeney. When he wasn’t working, Norman spent time in Bella Vista Arkansas fishing and trying to hook the “big one”.  Norman and Joan were married for 37 years when Joan passed away in 1992.

In 1995, Norman married Norma Jean Wilkin.  They lived in Raytown Mo., until Norman retired and they moved to some acreage in Kingston Mo. They enjoyed feeding and watching the deer on their property, and tending their large vegetable garden. Norman, an avid deer and turkey hunter, spent many hours walking through the woods or sitting in a deer stand or turkey blind. He taught his grandsons about gun safety and deer hunting. Norman enjoyed fishing trips to Canada and elk hunting in Wyoming. In 2003, Norman and Norma moved to Blue Springs, Mo, where they joined Blue Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Though Norman attended church in his youth, he was especially proud of his 2008 baptism in a very cold creek. Norman always enjoyed a beautiful lawn, building birdhouses, and watching old western movies. 

Norman is survived by his wife of 22 years, Norma Keeney; children Mike Keeney, Stephanie (Wade) Carpenter, C.B. Johnson, Karla(JT) White, and Rob Wilkin; 5 siblings Larry(Arlene) Coshow, Lowell(Pat) Coshow, Laurel (Don) Miller, Beulah Rice, Ruby Allen; 14 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at First Christian Church in Boonville, Mo. on Saturday, November 18th,  2017. Visitation is at 1pm followed by the funeral service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Boone Hospital Homecare and Hospice, or First Christian Church in Boonville.

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