MEMORIAL FOR CLAIR KEANE
Services to Be Held at 9 a. m. Tuesday at Williams Church.
Williams—Memorial services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic church here, Tuesday at 9 a.m., for Clair V. Keane, S 2/c, who was killed April 12, 1945 off Okinawa.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Keane of Williams, the sailor was serving aboard the U.S.S. “Zellars” when suicide bombers attacked the ship, resulting in heavy damage to the craft and causing his death.
The 22-year old serviceman had been in the navy since May 30, 1944. Prior to going into service he was engaged in farming.
Besides his father and mother, he is survived by three brothers, Daniel, Harold and Gesley, all of this community, and two nephews, Daniel Ray and Pat.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, October 20, 1945 (photo of USS Zellars included with this news article)
Keane Rites On Thursday
Last rites for S2c Clair V. Keane, who died in action during World War II, will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Williams. Rev. Father Thomas Knox of Iowa Falls will officiate with burial being made in St. Mary’s cemetery.
Foster’s funeral home of Webster City will be in charge of services. Military services will be held at the grave. The rosary will be at 7:45 Wednesday evening at the Williams Legion hall.
Clair Victor Keane, son of Dan and Crete Keane, was born Aug. 9, 1922, on a farm near Williams. He graduated from Williams high school in 1940 and farmed with his father until May 30, 1944 at which time he enlisted in the navy.
He took his “boot” training at Farragut, Id., being later assigned to Seattle. Later he went to Treasure Island, Calif. and then was sent overseas to the Caroline island group. He was stationed on the U. S. S. Zellars and took part in the Okinawa invasion, being killed in that action April 12, 1945. He was buried at Zamami island.
He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Carroll, who died at the age of nine months, and also by one brother, Carrell. He is survived by his parents and three brothers, Daniel, Jr., Harold and Guesley of Williams. Also surviving are three nephews and one niece, his grandmother, Mrs. Clair Knickerbocker of Radcliffe, and one step-grandmother, Mrs. Ella Keane, of Williams.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Apr 26, 1949
Clair Victor Keane (and his twin brother, Carroll) were born Aug. 9, 1922 to Daniel George and Mary Ann Crete ‘Crete’ Knickerbocker Keane. He died Apr. 12, 1945 and is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Williams, IA.
Clair was serving aboard the U.S.S. Zellars (DD-777) during the invasion of Okinawa in a kamikaze attack.
Sources:
Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA
ancestry.com
World War II Memorial
World War II Honoree
