Fred J. Rooney Jr.

Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Fred J. Rooney Jr., 89, died Tuesday morning in his home. He was born Sept. 12, 1916, in Joplin, Mo., to Fred and Eva Marie (Miller) Rooney. He married Anna Bernice Wormington, May 28, 1938, and she preceded him in death Dec. 30, 1977. He married Virginia Ruscha, April 24, 1987.

He graduated from the Monett High School in 1934, the Monett Junior College in 1936. He moved to Nevada, Mo., in 1941, to become a contract drayman for the railroad. He retired in 1981, from the operation of the Central Sales Company. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Verona, Mo. The Knights of Columbus and Fourth Degree member of Cardinal Law Council, Joplin and Springfield.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia; two sons, John Rooney of Paola, Kan., and William Rooney of St. Louis; three daughters, Connie Denning of Nevada, Patricia Rooney of Mt. Vernon and Anna Khialani of Houston, Texas; one brother, Harold Rooney of Monett; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents and brother Kenneth.

Funeral Mass will be read at 1 p.m., Thursday, March 9, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Verona, with the Rev. Peter Morciniec officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Monett. Rosary Services will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday in Crafton-Cantrell funeral home with visitation to follow.