Life Story for Andrew Keba
Funeral Mass for Andrew Keba, 89, of Wickliffe, will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Church, 15519 Holmes Ave., Cleveland.
Andrew passed away March 11, 2019, at Richmond Heights. Medical Center in Richmond Heights.
Born August 1, 1929 in Derry, Pa., he had been a Lake County resident for 60 years, living in Wickliffe.
Andrew was a member of St. Mary’s Church and a member of the American Legion Post 7, Wickliffe. He was a proud member of Carpenters Union Local 182. Andrew was a great cabinet maker and carpenter. He loved baseball and playing golf.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1948, serving as tank crewman with the 3rd Armor Calvary Regiment at Fort Meade, Md. Private Keba was honorably discharged July 29, 1949, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Indiantown Gap, Pa., to complete his five years non-active reserve commitments.
With mounting hostilities on the Korean Peninsula, Private Keba was recalled to active duty October 31, 1951. After completing FECOM Engineering School at Eta Jima, Japan in March 1952, Pfc. Keba was assigned to A Company 194th Engineer Battalion Korea as a Combat Construction Specialist.
In July 1952, Pfc. Keba was sent to Noncommissioned Officers School in Tadea-Gol, Korea successfully completing the course and obtaining the rank of Corporal. Staff Sergeant Keba was honorably discharged from active military duty October 23, 1953 after service 15 months and 10 days in Korea. For his service in Korea, Sergeant Keba earned the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, and the United Nations Service Medal.
He was the loving father of Karen A. Wolnik, Andrew G. Keba, Daniel J. Keba, and Russell R. (Jane) Keba; grandfather of Amy (Matt), Brian (Marisa), Andrea (Matt), Andrew and Allison; great-grandfather of Samantha, Maggie, Taylor, Emily, and Avery; brother of Sue Hostovich; and uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Andrew was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rose Mae (nee Kravos) Keba; parents, George and Elizabeth Keba; siblings, Mary, Helen, Elizabeth, Ann, Kay, John George, Mike, and Joe; son-in-law, David Wolnik; brother-in-law, George Hostovich.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at The Abbey of Willoughby, 38011 Euclid Ave., (located on the grounds of McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home), in Willoughby. Burial will be in Chester Township Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Andrew’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.
Andrew passed away March 11, 2019, at Richmond Heights. Medical Center in Richmond Heights.
Born August 1, 1929 in Derry, Pa., he had been a Lake County resident for 60 years, living in Wickliffe.
Andrew was a member of St. Mary’s Church and a member of the American Legion Post 7, Wickliffe. He was a proud member of Carpenters Union Local 182. Andrew was a great cabinet maker and carpenter. He loved baseball and playing golf.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1948, serving as tank crewman with the 3rd Armor Calvary Regiment at Fort Meade, Md. Private Keba was honorably discharged July 29, 1949, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Indiantown Gap, Pa., to complete his five years non-active reserve commitments.
With mounting hostilities on the Korean Peninsula, Private Keba was recalled to active duty October 31, 1951. After completing FECOM Engineering School at Eta Jima, Japan in March 1952, Pfc. Keba was assigned to A Company 194th Engineer Battalion Korea as a Combat Construction Specialist.
In July 1952, Pfc. Keba was sent to Noncommissioned Officers School in Tadea-Gol, Korea successfully completing the course and obtaining the rank of Corporal. Staff Sergeant Keba was honorably discharged from active military duty October 23, 1953 after service 15 months and 10 days in Korea. For his service in Korea, Sergeant Keba earned the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, and the United Nations Service Medal.
He was the loving father of Karen A. Wolnik, Andrew G. Keba, Daniel J. Keba, and Russell R. (Jane) Keba; grandfather of Amy (Matt), Brian (Marisa), Andrea (Matt), Andrew and Allison; great-grandfather of Samantha, Maggie, Taylor, Emily, and Avery; brother of Sue Hostovich; and uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Andrew was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rose Mae (nee Kravos) Keba; parents, George and Elizabeth Keba; siblings, Mary, Helen, Elizabeth, Ann, Kay, John George, Mike, and Joe; son-in-law, David Wolnik; brother-in-law, George Hostovich.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at The Abbey of Willoughby, 38011 Euclid Ave., (located on the grounds of McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home), in Willoughby. Burial will be in Chester Township Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Andrew’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.