OBIT: John M. Keeley, age 20, d. 1950, Jefferson Co., Ky

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Submitted by:  Pat45324@aol.com
Date: 12 June 2001
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December 24, 1950
Jeffersontown Marine Killed as Car Hits Tree

       Marine Pfc. John M. Keeley, 20, Jeffersontown, was killed at 3 a.m. yesterday when an 
automobile in which he was riding struck a tree on Eastern Parkway west of Goss. 
       Police said the car went out of control on a slight curve.  The driver, Jesse L. 
Whitworth, 24, Jeffersontown, was arrested on a manslaughter charge.  He was cut on the 
right knee.
       His brother, Pvt. Delmer Whitworth, Jr., 18, stationed at Chatham Air Force Base, 
Savannah, Ga. suffered a leg fracture.  Private Whitworth and Keeley, who was stationed at 
Camp Le Jeune, N.C. were home on Christmas furloughs.

Skull is Fractured.  
Keeley was dead on arrival at General hospital, where the others were also taken.  Deputy 
Coroner William T. Kammerer said he suffered a skull fracture and internal injuries.
       Police had to pry the doors open to remove the victims.  Private Whitworth's feet 
were caught in one door.  The three had been to a night club and had intended to stop at St. 
Matthews for coffee before going home, police said.
       Keeley was graduated from Jeffersontown High School last year and had been a Boy 
Scout leader. He joined the Marines in August.

City Death Toll 37
       He was reared by Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Bryan, Jeffersontown.  Also surviving are his 
mother, Mrs. Josephine Keeley, Louisville; five sisters, Mrs. Katherine Ham, Cincinnati; 
Mrs. William Capen, Brooklyn; Miss Joy Keeley and Miss Shirley Keeley, both of 
Jeffersontown, and Miss Violet Keeley, Anchorage; a half brother, a half sister, two foster 
brothers, and a foster sister.
       The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Myers Chapel, Jeffersontown.  Burial will be 
in Resthaven Memorial Park.
       Keeley's death raised to 37 the number of traffic fatalities in Louisville this year. 
 Last Year there were 39 at this time.