Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 18, Number 6, DeMotte, Jasper County, 2 January 1948 — WM. A. KEENE IS KILLED WHEN CAR HITS TREE [ARTICLE]

WM. A. KEENE IS KILLED WHEN CAR HITS TREE

Slippery Highway Leads To Holiday Tragedy Near DeMotte; Wife Is Injured Icy highways reached out Christmas afternoon to include Jasper county in the nation’s toll of holiday fatalities. Victim of the Christmas tragedy which marred the holiday joy of northern Jasper county was William Albert Keene, 53-year-old deaf mute, farmer and dairyman. He died of a crushed chest, liver and stomach ruptures and rib fractures ten minutes after being received at Jasper county hospital here, where he was removed by ambulance. The tragedy resulted when the car which Mr. Keene occupied, with his wife skidded from the slippery, highway at the base of a small hill a short distance east of DeMotte on Route 53 about 4:30 o’clock as the couple were returning to their home from Shelby where they spent the holiday with friends. After leaving the highway the car struck a tree. The right side of the car was caved in as far as the center of the car. The automobile was driven by Mrs. Keene, who was removed to the same hospital where her husband died. Mrs. Keene’s injuries consisted of four rib fractures and light internal bruises. She also suffered greatly from shock and her heart action was much disturbed for a time. However, the condition of her heart is about- normal this morning. Her condition is not serious. Police piecing together the details of the tragedy believe that as the car came off the incline it began to skid and that as it began to slide Mrs. Keene applied the brakes, causing it to turn arqund. The vehicle left the highway on the north side of the road opposite a roadside lunch table and crashed into a tree. The impact’s effect on the car suggested to police a travel speed of 30-35 miles per hour. Mrs. Keene is unable to recall the details of the accident after the car started to skid. The injured couple were found by Henry DeKoek, 111. of De--Motte. — who summoned Todd’s ambulance. The. car did not overturn. Mr. Keene was crushed as the side of the aa omobile was caved in as it bounded against the tree. • Born in Wheat-field. M. Keene was born n Wheatfield Ji’h 15 ’l8:?4, the son of Albert S. Keene, and Mary (Gus iw K d. i- .i (- time. was so ,t in the -Id area. 1 ’ ■" a hint - h 1 n - diana ( >’ '' at In;:h. . polls in 1913, a school course . a:s t o" h average i school, x • 'vs a membu a school aainity. Following his school days he retuvned o WliedffTeld '..ere he was employ d by his i her, who opt rat* ! a ■ hu e and fun a! <s a! As more, i ■ s ed in to* r. H sexton o.i eatii 11 V- ..... .. . r a number of years. Mr. Keene was married to

Ruth (Rice) Clark at Watseka, 111., on December 8, 1934. Surviving• besides ihe widow are a step-daughter, Mrs. Max Blacker (i.ee Selma Clark); the mother; Mrs. Mary Keene, and the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Lottie Williams and Mrs. Irene I rube of Wheatfield, Bernard Roy Keene ot Hammond, Clarn ,•< Keene of Wheatfield and Paul Meen< of Michigan City. His died about twelve years _. a :;d ne was preceded in by one brother and -one 11 w. a general favfield locality, ii ! - r’o■ '■ and an excellred into tomwit!'! much • Yn Yic ; ive <• n. respe ’ :-n 1 <•■l . • ne. All kn w him as a true friend and a man cx' mplary character. Funeral services were conducted by Todd’s Funeral... Home from the When' field Pen‘e- * 1 church at " o’clock' Sunday afternoon, wi : u c * R v. aid Moon ' of Tvrl - ia- " oil*! dating. Interment was at Weston cemetery Rensselaer.