| Name | Nora Mary KERSHNER  |
| Birth | 21 Dec 1878, Bernville, Penns Twp., Berks County, Pa.8,9 |
| Baptism | 9 Feb 1879, Saint Thomas Union Church, Bernville, Penn Twp., Berks County, Pa.10 |
| Baptism Memo | Rev. T. C. Leinbach |
| Death | 25 Apr 1957, Harrisburg State Hospital, Harrisburg, Pa.9 |
| Death Memo | She had been in the hospital for 16 days. |
| Burial | 27 Apr 1957, Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, Berks County, Pa.9 |
| Occupation | housewife and child nurse9 |
| Education | Graduated first in her class at Pine Grove High School, Pa., 1896. |
| Census | 1900, 940 Moss Street, Reading, Berks County, Pa. |
| Census Memo | boarder with ? |
| Residence | 20 Dec 1903, 932 N. 6th Street, Reading, Berks County, Pa. |
| Father | John Allison KERSHNER (1855-1949) |
| Mother | Anna Catherine FRYBERGER (1856-1925) |
| 1 | Rev. James Edward KEENE |
| Birth | 21 Oct 1878, 1045 Walnut Street, Reading, Berks County, Pa.6,7 |
| Death | 4 Sep 1966, Quincy, Franklin County, Pa.6 |
| Burial | 7 Sep 1966, Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, Berks County, Pa.6 |
| Occupation | Evangelical United Brethren Minister |
| Education | Didn't finished high school. Became minister through correspondence course. |
| Father | Edward Henry KEEHN (1848-1922) |
| Mother | Adaline SNYDER (1850-1892) |
| Marriage | 21 Dec 1903, 932 N. 6th Street, Reading, Berks County, Pa.8,11 |
| Marriage Memo | by A. Lehman |
| Children | John Edward (1905-1997) |
| James Calvin (1908-2002) | |
| Paul Kershner (1910-2005) | |
| (Living) |
1878 - 1966
Assembled by Paul K. Keene 1979
The Rev. James Edward Keene was born October 21, 1878 in Reading, Pa. He was the first of three children born to Edward Keehn and wife Adeline, neé Snyder.The second child, Ida, was married to a Mr. Richards. Both died years ago leaving two children, Phyllis and Edward. The third child of Edward Keehn, Charles, died in 1965, having been preceded in death by his wife Sadie (neé Shoop) by 4 years. They had no children.
From infancy, James Keene was reared in a Christian home. At the age of 12 he dedicated his life to God at the altar of Ebenezer Evangelical Church in Reading, Pa. Later he joined the Salem United Brethren Church, also in Reading. Here his interest in giving himself to full-time service in the work of God was awakened.
He was a class leader, teacher of a class of boys in the Sunday School in the Salem Church, and sang in the choir. These and other activities led him to considering the vocation of minister. With the encouragement of his pastor, the Rev. Amos Lehman, he made the decision, whereupon he entered the four-year conference course of study and completed it in the stated time. On October 19, 1901, he was licensed by the Quarterly Conference at the Reading Salem Church. On October 7, 1903 he was granted his Annual Conference License. On October 6, 1907, he was ordained by Bishop J. S. Mills. In 1902 he was called to his first charge in Hustontown, Pa., in the Allegheny Conference where he served 7 churches.
In 1903 he accepted an invitation to Join the East Pennsylvania Conference and was appointed to serve the Intercourse charge, consisting of two churches, one called Mt. Tabor.
He was married to Nora Mary Kershner on December 21, 1903. Her home was Pine Grove, Pa. but she was then residing in Reading and attending Salem Church. The wedding took place at the home of the bride on N. 6th Street, Reading; the ceremony was performed by the Rev. Amos Lehman.
From 1904 until 1908 Rev. Keene served the 7 churches of the Enders (Jacksonville) charge, Here were born two sons, John Edward and James Calvin. The year 1908-1909 was spent in service to the Denver, Pa. Church, and from 1908-1919 Rev. Keene served the Lititz, Pa. charge, consisting at first of 4 congregations. Here was born a third son, Paul Kershner. 1911-1918 were spent in the Lancaster Otterbein church, where a daughter, Ruth Catherine Adeline, was born.
Following this charge, he served the following congregations: 1918 - 1926 Mont Clare, Pa. 1926 - 1933 Pine Grove, Pa. 1933 - 1943 Cleona, Pa. 1943 - 1947 Avon, Pa. 1947 - 1950 Coatesville, Pa..
Retirement, at the age of 72, was made official at the Annual Conference held in Annville, Pa. in 1950, with recognition of the 48 years of faithful service.
Following retirement, Rev. and Mrs. Keene lived on N 10th Street in Lebanon, Pa., for five years. There they were members of Salem E. U. B. Church and Rev. Keene was one of the class leaders.
In September 1955, the Keenes moved to the Church Home at Quincy, Pa. On April 25th 1957, Mrs. Keene passed away; her body was buried at the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading, Pa. on April 29. Nine more years were spent by Rev. Keene, with frequent visits to the families of his children. After such visits he was happy to return to Quincy and his friends who had become a part of his life. Several weeks before his death he became ill and was placed in the infirmary at Quincy. There, quietly and peacefully, he departed this life on Sunday, the 4th of September, 1966, at the age of 87. His remains also were buried in the Charles Evans Cemetery, next to those of his wife.
His was a good life, As a boy he had lost the use of one of his hands through a crippling accident. This rarely seemed to him a handicap. He rose above it whether in playing games with young people or in serving his church.
As a young man in Reading, he had helped to form a male quartet known as the Silver Star Quartet. His deep, true bass voice helped to make it a much sought-after organization for special church functions for many years.
Always good humored, peaceful in intent and gentle in nature, he became even more so in his later years. To the day of his death he was ever appreciative of the goodness of the Lord who had lent him life for so long a time. No matter what the circumstances, he had learned truly always to be content,
He is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held first at Quincy Home and later at the Roland Funeral Parlors in Lebanon on Wednesday, September 7,1966.
"Who through faith... wrought righteousness."
His Churches:
First church in Hustontown (Fulton Co.) 1902-1903.
Intercourse (Bird-in-Hand, Paradise, Tabor; Lancaster Co.) 1903-1904
Jacksonville Circuit (Enders [parsonage], Fisherville, Union, Carsonville, Jacobs, and St. Paul; Dauphin Co.) 1904-1908
Denver (Sinking Spring; Lancaster Co.) 1908-1909
Lititz (Neffsville, Oregon, Brunnerville; Lancaster Co) 1909-1914
Lancaster Otterbein (Lancaster Co.) 1914-1918
Mont Clare, Montgomery Co. (Phoenixville; Chester Co.) 1918-1926
Pine Grove (Schuylkill Co.) 1926-1933
Cleona (Lebanon Co.) 1933-1943
Avon (Lebanon Co.) 1943-1947
Coatesville (Chester Co.) 1947-1950
Retired in 1950, aged 72
Lived in Lebanon, Pa. until 1955 when they moved to the church home in Quincy, Pa.