White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Rowley – Keith J. Burnell, 78 years old, of rural Rowley, Iowa, died on Friday, October 16, 2015, at Manor Care in Waterloo, Iowa.  He was born on March 27, 1937, in Alice, Iowa, the son of Harold James and Alberta Blanche (Wenger) Burnell.  He attended school in the Rowley school system.  He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.  On September 26, 1959, he and the former Connie Sue Mahanna were married at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  She preceded him in death in 2010.  Mr. Burnell was a union carpenter on commercial projects before retiring in 1999.  He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Rowley, the Bechter-Boies V.F.W. Post #2440, and the 2 Cylinder Club.  He enjoyed woodworking and he had a story to tell for every situation.  He also collected full sized and model tractors.

Mr. Burnell is survived by 2 sons, Wesley Burnell of Rowley, Iowa, and Bradley (Stacey) Burnell of Odessa, Florida, and 2 grandchildren, Blake Burnell and Whitney Burnell.  He is also survived by 2 brothers, Jack (Marilyn) Burnell of Springville, Iowa, and Rick Burnell of Rowley, Iowa, and 1 sister, Verna Harms of Tipton, Iowa.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, Iowa, with Rev. Lisa Thedens officiating.  Friends may call for visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 23^rd, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Military Service begins at 7:00 p.m.