Phillip Kenealy

Phillip J. Kenealy, 91, of Liberty, Missouri, and formerly of Creston, Iowa, passed away June 18, 2017 at his home with his loving wife of 66 years, Patricia, and family by his side.
Phil was born September 28, 1925, in Neola, Iowa, to the late Jerome and Florence (Schierbrock) Kenealy. He attended Beebeetown High School, leaving in eighth grade to help his father farm after his mother passed away. He later attended business school in Omaha. He served as a sergeant for the U.S. Army in WWII. Phil married Patricia Anne Miller on November 18, 1950. To this blessed union, they added seven children: Mary Teresa (Joe) Latus of Creston, Iowa; Elizabeth Kenealy of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Dan (Becky Coates) Kenealy of Liberty, Missouri; Phil (Colleen Murphy) Kenealy of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Tim (Madeline McNish) Kenealy of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Frank (Margaret Weis) Kenealy of Waverly, Iowa; and Jo (Tom) Link of Raytown, Missouri.
Phil retired from Ziegler, formerly Gibbs-Cook, Caterpillar, as a salesman. His business relationships took him all across the state of Iowa, where he never knew a stranger. He also worked for Valley Equipment in Des Moines, Iowa, and Fritz Grote John Deere Implement in Boone, Iowa. While residing in Creston, Phil was a longtime member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He was also a member of St. James Catholic Church, VFW Post 1797, Elks Creston Lodge 605 and American Legion Post 0541.
In addition to his parents, Phil was preceded in death by his sister, Mary O’Rourke; his brothers, Ray and Tom Kenealy; and an infant granddaughter.
Phil is survived by his wife, all seven of his children, 15 grandchildren, their respective spouses and 17 great-grandchildren; his brother Leo (Jo Ann) Kenealy, of Minden, Iowa; his sister-in-law Joanne Kenealy, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. Phil had a kind and generous heart; he was loved and admired by all.
It was Phils wish to donate his body to anatomical research and therefore will be cremated with a private family interment at a later date.