Philip Kearney

Philip L. Kearney, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, April 1, 2004, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

He was born June 21, 1916, in Sheldon, Iowa, son of Francis Eugene and Margaret Kelly Kearney. He and Mary Catherine Lanertz were married Nov. 22, 1941, in Fulda, Minn. She died March 10, 1973.

Mr. Kearney graduated from the University of Wyoming, where he was the first industrial arts major and physical education major. He was an accomplished athlete, having been involved in the University of Wyoming wrestling, boxing, tennis and track programs. He was a minor league baseball pitcher. In addition, he was on the 1934 All-American Hockey Team and was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks.

After college, Mr. Kearney taught in both college and high school in Wyoming, and was a football and basketball coach.

During World War II he taught hand-to-hand combat to Navy pilots.

Mr. Kearney farmed in Maryville, Mo., was the chamber of commerce manager in Maryville, Joplin and Cape Girardeau, was public relations director for Missouri Utilities, and placement director for Vocational-Technical School in Cape Girardeau.

He served on the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Board, Notre Dame High School Board, and was a past member of Economic Development Team for the state of Missouri. He was a longtime member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Mr. Kearney lived in Cape Girardeau from 1957 to the 1980s, then moved to Brownsville, Texas, for several years, and returned to Cape Girardeau in 1999.

Survivors include two sons, David (Sandy) Kearney of Wildwood, Mo., Dr. Terry (Brenda) Kearney of Gaithersburg, Md.; seven daughters, Peggy (Steve) Hankins of Chesterfield, Mo., Judy (Mike) Hanschen of Cape Girardeau, Barb (Mike) Rehg of Symrna, Ga., Mary (David) Wulfers of Tulsa, Okla., Jean (Steve) Ripper of Arnold, Mo., Mikki (Kirk) Schwartz of Kansas City, Mo., Pat (Lenny) Kuper of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Mary Margaret Osborn of Cheyenne, Wyo.; 24 grandchildren; and four great-granddaughters.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by twin sons, Robert and Charles Kearney, and two brothers, Joseph and Franz Kearney.

Friends may call at St. Vincent de Paul Church from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Charles Prost officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family requests memorials be given to Birthright.