John Murtha Kearney

John Murtha Kearney, 77 John Murtha Kearney of Osage Beach, Missouri, formerly of Rolla, Missouri, passed away at home on Sunday, November 18, 2018. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania on July 9, 1941 to Christopher James Kearney and Adeline Murtha Kearney. He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret Kearney; brothers Thomas Kearney and Patrick Kearney; sisters Marie Zelenka and Kathleen Naureckas, children Elizabeth Hammock of Pacific, Missouri, Timothy Kearney (Maria) of Catawissa, Missouri, Dr. David Kearney (Caitlin) of Seattle, Washington, and Dr. Kristen Soehngen, of Pacific, Missouri; 13 grandchildren, Valerie Love (Justin), Max Hammock, Colin Hammock, Christopher Hammock, LeAnn Kearney (Christoph Naegen), Patrick Kearney, Brenden Kearney, Kayin Brandenberger, Eliah Brandenberger, Amias Kearney, Laura Soehngen, Matthew Soehngen and Fiona Kearney; and great-grandchildren Elissa Love and Cameron Love. After graduating from Ramsay High School in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania in 1959, he attended St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1963, then began a career in retail management. He first worked for W.T. Grant in several Pennsylvania and Ohio cities, then joined the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. His first assignment was at Ft. Ord, California. The organization transferred him to Colorado, Texas, Missouri and Michigan. In 1978, John opened his own business in Rolla, Missouri. He operated Kearney Insulation for nine years. All four children graduated from Rolla High School and went on to graduate from the University of Missouri. He moved to the Lake of the Ozarks in 2003, where he worked as a kitchen designer. He loved taking his family out boating, grilling and exploring the lake’s attractions. In 2014, he earned his U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license to enable to him to take guests of his bed and breakfast boating. He hosted hundreds of guests from all over the world in his home overlooking the lake. He also traveled the world with his wife, visiting Italy, Mexico and his ancestral home in County Cavan, Ireland. When at home, he loved watching sports, especially college football and basketball. He was a diehard Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan. A Mass celebrating the life of John Kearney will be held Wednesday, November 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Camdenton. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. in the Gathering Place at the church. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the University of Missouri’s Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.