MRS. McKEEVER TAKEN BY DEATH

Prominent Woman Dies at McGowan Home in 88th Year

Mrs. Luella Simeral McKeever, died at the home of her daughter Mrs. J. Easton McGowan, 1049 La Belle Avenue on Saturday at 10:15 a. m. She had been in poor health for one and a half years, and seriously ill one week. Her mind was alert and keen to the last.

She was born at Bloomfield and was 88 years of age on September 24, 1936. She was the daughter of William Ferguson Simeral and Nancy Davis Simeral, both members of families prominent in that section and both deceased. Her father served as county auditor several terms.

She was married to John C. McKeever on March 14, 1872, and thereafter resided in Steubenville, and for the past 24 years has made her home with Mrs. McGowan.

She leaves these children: Lida, wife of J. E. McGowan; Lucy, widow of Henry Caldwell of Bellevue, Pa.; John C., president of the Gerlach Barklow company at Joliet, Illinois; Robert R., manager of the industrial department of Proctor and Gamble at Cincinnati; Mrs. E. R. Halsey of Jersey City; June H., widow of A. H. Wilie, deceased. One son William F. died in infancy.

These grandchildren also survive: Donald M. Caldwell and Mrs. F. S. Smith of Bellevue, Pa.; A. H. Wilie of Chicago; Carl Wilie of Aliquippa, Pa.; Miss June Wilie, a teacher at Tiltonsville; Miss Betty McKeever of Joliet, Illinois; Robert and Jane McGowan at Cincinnati; Jack McGowan of Steubenville; Nancy Jane Halsey of Jersey City. There are four great grandchildren.

Two brothers and two sisters survive: John A. Simeral at Bellevue, Pa.; George S. Simeral of Beloit, Wisconsin; Mrs. E. D. Greasel of Carnegie, Pa.; Mrs. J. F. Lacroix of Brooklyn, N. Y.

Mrs. McKeever was a graduate of Miss McCracken's Seminary on North Third Street, January 30, 1867. SHe was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was proud of her colonial ancestry. She was a member of the World War Veterans auxiliary.

She joined the First United Presbyterian Church under the pastorate of Dr. J. F. Clokey and was probably the oldest member of the congregation.

She was a member of the Women's Missionary Society of the church and was always active in church work and always in attendance on the means of grace when health permitted.

Her life was extended long beyond the Psalmist's span, and she enjoyed the long years that were granted her; always maintaining the warm friendships made in earlier life. Her's was a happy personality and these friends that were attracted toher were justly proud of her loyal devotion to them.

Her fine Christian character was in evidence at all times and her death at such advanced years is a matter of regret to all who knew her in church and social life. Mrs. McKeever took an interest in the affairs of every day life untl the very last.
*****The Steubenville Herald Star, Saturday, December 12, 1936*****