Ralph Harold Keener Jr.

Ralph “Harold” Keener Jr., a veteran of Vietnam and longtime resident of Wadsworth surrounded by his family, gained his wings. He joined his heavenly family on June 19, 2024. Harold, as he was known to many in the area, was born March 3, 1941 to the late Ralph H. and Evelyn I. (Swartz) Keener both of whom were residents of Creston Ohio. Harold was the big brother to the late Robert E. (Anna) Keener. He attended Norwayne High School before being drafted in the U.S. Army in December of 63. He was stationed in Hawaii and as a telecommunications specialist. 

On June 5, 1965, Harold married the love of his life Madeline C. Keener and together they built a family and a life filled with love and laughter. They met on an accidental fluke. Madeline was standing outside of a beauty shop on the main drag in Rittman talking to her boss, when he drove by the shop and noticed this beautiful blonde standing there. He turned the car around, looked to his friend then declared “that girl right there's the girl that I will marry”. He proceeded to ask her to go for a drive. A few years later his dream came true. They were married at the Wadsworth Nazarene Church, with his brother and her sister as their witnesses. Three years later they were excited to announce the birth of their daughter, Cindy.

Harold had many different trades. He began working in the oil fields, worked as a truck driver, worked at Walmart as a greeter, was a purchasing agent for Wadsworth Hospital and was the salesman for Accurate Office of Wadsworth until he retired to help his wife with babysitting their pride and joy, their granddaughter, Rylie. 

Harold had a beautiful soul, he was a truly selfless, loving, and compassionate man who like his wife was always putting family and others first. Harold was an amazing husband and he would refer to them as a unit, a team, or simply two peas in a pod. Harold was an amazing husband, father, but he was an even better grandfather. Harold knew no stranger, for he was always adopting someone to his family and because of this he was also “Grandpa” to a lot of the families when he worked at the Rittman Elementary After-school Latchkey program where his daughter was director and his granddaughter attended her early elementary years. 

Harold loved to do mostly anything especially if it involved family and the outdoors. He enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards with his wife and family, taking lunch to his granddaughter at her work, and he loved helping his wife clean their home and cooking. He was known for making banana pancakes, waffles, omelets and his vegetable beef soup. He loved going to Canada with his “fishing buddies” that included his wife’s Uncle Harmie, his dad and his brother and the whole family vacations in Port Loring. He loved it there and the family has many memories of the experiences that they had together. 

He was known for his love of clocks, pocket watches, and knives. He also was a "train enthusiast" inspired by his first Lionel railroad set given to him by his grandfather and for his father who worked on the railroad. Harold loved his train collection and at one time had a train village, complete with lights, crossroad signs and hats in his basement for his daughter, nieces, and nephews. He loved to take them all to Quaker Square to visit the train store and add to his collection.

He was a faithful Christian and attended the Church of the Nazarene most of his life. 

Harold was preceded in death by his wife Madeline C. Booth Keener, his parents Ralph and Evelyn Keener, his brother Robert “Bob” Keener, his sister-law Binnie I Lucas and many other loved ones.

He is survived by his daughter Cynthia (Tommy) Shevel; his granddaughter Rylie (Kam Sherwood) Shevel; his great grandson Rayn Sherwood. After his sister in law’s ( Binnie Booth Lucas) unexpected death, he became a second Dad/Grandfather to: Jessica (Bill Shevel) Lucas and Josh (Cheryl) Lucas and their children: Mason Fern, Renee, Madison, Kylee Lucas and granddaughter Emersyn; nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many cousins. His daughter’s lifelong friend Christina Harter and many family friends that meant the world to him. 

A graveside service will be held at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman at 9:15 am on July 12, 2024. A funeral procession will start at Roberts Funeral Home-Hillcrest Chapel, Seville at 8:40 am. 

A memorial service will be held July 12 at 4-7pm at Wadsworth Eagles 9953 Rittman Rd, Wadsworth where friends and family can gather and share stories.