Keeley Family
The Keeley family first settled in Katanning in 1903 when John and Alice Keeley moved here from Geraldton with their family. John was born in Wigan (Lancashire), in 1854 and migrated to WA in the year 1883. His wife Alice was the eldest daughter of William and Bridget Grover and was the first white girl born in Katanning. William Grover was the second trooper stationed at Police Pools in 1860.
John Keeley arrived in Albany in 1883 and it was here that he met his future wife, Alice. The couple spent time on the Goldfields before moving to Geraldton where he set up his own painting business. On moving to Katanning he continued his trade until his retirement.
OBITUARY
MR. JOHN KEELEY.
Great Southern Herald
29 July, 1933 (p2)
An old and respected identity of the town, in the person of Mr. John Keeley, died at the Katanning Hospital on Wednesday morning, at the advanced age of 79 years.
Some weeks ago, he suffered a break down in health and, when his condition did not improve, he was removed about ten days ago to the Katanning Hospital. He appeared to be making progress when a relapse occurred, and the end came suddenly.
Mr Keeley was born at Wigan (Lancashire), in 1854 and migrated to WA in the year 1883. When living at Albany he met his life partner, Alice Mary Grover, and after his marriage departed for the Northern Goldfields, where he engaged in prospecting for some years. A painter by trade, he launched out in business at Geraldton, but in 1903 came southwards with his wife and family to settle at Katanning.
Mr. Keeley continued his trade in this town and established a comfortable business, being recognised for years as the best craftsman in the district. In later years, owing to advancing age and fading eyesight, he retired from his trade.
He was of a retiring and unassuming disposition but was well liked and respected by all who knew him. During the Great War four of his sons saw active service for their country. He leaves a widow, two daughters and eight sons to mourn their loss, one daughter, Constance (Mrs. P. Lynch), having predeceased him.
The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Thursday last; the cortege moving from St Patrick’s Church after a service to the Katanning General Cemetery where the remains were laid to rest in the Roman Catholic portion. The Rev. Father M. Reidy officiated both at the service and at the graveside.
The pallbearers were Messrs. D. Sclater, R. Beaton, E Stapleton, K. Braund, J. O’Rourke and F. Cruickshanks. Funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. John Squiers.
Many beautiful wreaths, floral tributes and other expressions of esteem and sympathy were placed on the graveside by the following friends of deceased and sympathisers of the bereaved family: – Kath Tanner; Mr. and Mrs. V. Crouch; Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Cronin and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. E Tanner; Mr. and Mrs. A. Mouritz, Mr. and Mrs. Levitzke and family, pupils of the Sacred Heart Convent; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Barrot and family, Mr. and Mrs. F. Higman; Mr. and Mrs. Braund and family; Mr. and Mrs. Eli Quartermaine; Roman Catholic Church Committee; Mr. and Mrs. W. E Cronin and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. Stapleton; Mr. and Mrs. H. Mouritz; E. A. Wilson and family; Directors of Richardson and Co. Ltd.;
Mrs. G. McLeod and family; Edna and Herzel Baker; Mr. and Mrs. Haddleton and family; Mr. and Mrs. Hector McDonald; Katanning Branch R.S.L. Women’s Auxiliary; Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Radford; Mrs. Bradbury, Snr.; Mr. and Mrs. Smart; Mr. and Mrs. C. Fitzgerald and family; Mr. A. Keirle and Frank; Mr. and Mrs. Blythe and family; Maud, Mona and Ernest; Country Women’s Association; Mr. and Mrs. F. Cruickshank and family; Mrs. Garrity, Mrs. Lavton and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Walter and family; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Piesse; Mr. and Mrs. H. Dorries; Mr. and Mrs. T. Pethick and family; Mrs. F. H. Piesse; Mr. and Mrs. Cartney Woods; A. E Piesse, M.L.A, and Edmund; Wife, sons and daughters; Elizabeth and May; Mrs. L. Armstrong and boys.
MARRIAGES
Western Mail
27 July, 1912 (p33)
LYNCH – KEELEY
On July 2, 1912, at St. Patrick’s, Katanning, by the Rev. Father Reidy, Peter, second youngest son of the late P. Lynch, Yarram, South Gippsland, Victoria, to Constance Mary, eldest daughter of John and Alice Keeley, of Katanning.
DEATHS
Western Mail
26 August, 1926 (p43)
GROVER.
At Indinup, Katanning, Bridget Mary, relict of the late Wm. Grover, and fond mother of W. D. and Martin Grover, Mrs. Alice Keeley, Mrs. Gertrude Graham, Mrs, May Duttson, Mrs. Glenn, Mrs. Doctor Wilson, Nurse Elizabeth Grover, and the late Mrs. Roberts.
Obituary
Connie Lynch (nee Keeley)
Southern Districts Advocate
11 May, 1931 (p3)
We regret to record the death of Mrs Peter (Connie) Lynch, formerly of Tambellup, and latterly of Cunderdin. Deceased, who was the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs John Keeley, of Katanning, and who was only 39 years of age, had been suffering from a nervous complaint, and passed away rather suddenly on Thursday last at St. John of God Hospital, Perth. In addition to her parents there are several brothers and sisters, and for these, as well as her sorrowing husband and daughter (aged 12); much sympathy expressed. Her remains were interred in the Karrakatta cemetery on Friday.
Pioneering News
Western Mail – Perth
18 November 1948
It was pioneering news when Mr. Thomas Haddleton, who is aged 82, was congratulated by Mrs. Alice Keeley on her 81st birthday recently. They were the first two white babies born in Katanning. She is the daughter of the late Sgt. Grover, the first mounted trooper in the district, and when he was born there were only 12 persons in the Katanning district. Now there are 12,000.
MORE READING
Stunt at Villers-Bretonneux
Katanning born Sergeant John Augustine (Gus) Keeley enlisted from Busselton on 9 February, 1915, aged 18 years. His unit, the 11th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 26 April 1915. He also served with the 13th and 51st Brigades and an American force prior to his return to Western Australia on 28 February 1919. Continue reading
Fancy Dress Ball
There could be no doubt about the success of the Fancy Dress Ball held by the local School in the Town Hall on Thursday evening last (12 July 1923) and the accommodation both for dancers and spectators was taxed to the utmost. The thanks of the school is also due to Mrs. Keeley’s committee, consisting of the following ladies: – Mesdames. Keeley, Dilworth, Bott, Keay, Marris, Swinhoe and Walters. Continue reading
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Keeley Family. Keeley Family. Keeley Family. Keeley Family. Keeley Family.