David Miles Kearney, 72, of Larned, formerly of Belpre, Kansas, died September 1, 2023 at Diversicare of Larned, Kansas. He was born May 9, 1951 at Larned, Kansas, son of John Thomas and Regina Mary (Gonnering) Kearney of Belpre, Kansas.
He attended St. Bernard’s School and Belpre-Trousdale High School, both of Belpre, Kansas. He graduated from Macksville High School in Macksville, Kansas, in 1969. He was a 1971 graduate of Hutchinson Community Junior College with an associate of arts degree and a 1973 graduate of Fort Hays Kansas State College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism.
David was an author, newspaper columnist, and unofficial Belpre, Kansas, historian throughout his life. He served as editor of the Kiowa County Signal in Greensboro for three and a half years, beginning in 1973. He authored several historical articles for Kansas publications and spent many years researching the history of Belpre and eastern Edwards County. In 1978, his book, Belpre, Kansas: The Story of a Small Town, was published. David’s goal in writing about Belpre was to preserve the history of the community. He was especially interested in the early years of Belpre’s history.
David’s interest in sharing the history of Belpre continued through his life. He was the author of the text for St. Bernard’s 75th anniversary book in 1976, the historical text included in St. Bernard’s Recipes and Remembrances cookbook in 1999, and St. Bernard’s Centennial Celebration book in 2001.
David was also the author of “The Belpre Observer” column in the Edwards County Sentinel, with his first column appearing in the April 9, 1998, edition. His column, “Belpre News and Views,” was published in the Larned Tiller and Toiler for over twenty years. Both columns were published through the first half of 2023.
David was a lifetime member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. He was a member of Belpre’s Keenagers group, served on the board of the Henry Laird Library, and served as secretary of the Belpre-Trousdale Alumni Association. He was an avid reader, collecting books related to the history of Kansas towns and Catholic Churches.
David was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Patrick Kearney and Thomas Michael Kearney; and sister, Mary Kathleen Sculley. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Louise (Goudy) Kearney, McPherson, Kansas; nieces Erin Kearney, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Kristen Nolan and husband, Spencer, of Spring Hill, Kansas; nephew Troy Sculley and wife, Angela, of Leavenworth, Kansas; several great nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, September 15, 2023 from 9:00a.m.-5:00 p.m., at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, Kansas. Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 16, 2023, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belpre, Kansas. Rosary will be at 10:30 am and Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow the service in the Belpre Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church or Belpre City Park fund in care of Beckwith Mortuary, 916 Main St., Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.