George Rooney

Mass of Christian Burial for George "Ned" Edward Rooney, 77, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 10:00 a.m., March 10, 2011 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS. Visitation is at the church at 9:00, rosary at 9:30 and funeral mass at 10:00. Luncheon provided prior to departure for graveside services at Fidelity in Fairview, KS. Burial will follow at Fidelity Catholic Church Cemetery in Fairview, KS. Mr. Rooney died Saturday, March 5, 2011. He was born in Hiawatha, KS on May 5, 1933, the son of Mark and Anna Mary "Philomena" Rooney.  He attended eight grades in a rural one-room school, Franklin Grade School, and graduated from Fairview High School in 1950. In 1955, he graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in accounting and he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.  Soon after graduation, he passed the CPA exam.  George met Mary Lou Rickman after they both earned their degrees at KU. On October 22, 1956, they were married in Arizona at Ft. Huatchua where George was serving in the army. Their first set of twins (boy and girl) was born at the army base with the son not surviving as they were premature.  Three years later, the second set of twins, fraternal boys, were born. George worked as an accountant and cost accountant at IMCO, Ethyl, Brockway, and Summit and resided with his family primarily in Overland Park, KS; Baton Rouge, LA; and Richmond, VA. He retired at the age of 70 from Summit. George went through life with his wonderful sense of humor, positive attitude, and gentleness. He was great with math/numbers. For example, one day, he decided to look at his wife’s Sudoku puzzle book and he quickly figured out the math sequencing for them. His passions also included road trips with the family, history, reading, golf, and playing cards. George and Mary Lou were seen as a special couple in their later years together as they both were totally devoted to helping each other after they each had strokes. He is survived by a loving family which includes: daughter, Cathy "Cat" Howland, and husband Darren, Lawrence, KS; sons, Kevin Rooney, and wife Ellen, Baton Rouge, LA, and Bruce Rooney and wife, Donna, Louisburg, KS and five grandchildren, Emily, Nick, Eliza, DeAnna, and Marshall Rooney. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Rooney, by just 20 days; his parents, siblings Dorothy, Fred and Lee Rooney, and infant son, James. Suggested memorials to your choice, American Heart Association or American Cancer Society. Send in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th St., Lawrence, KS 66044-3402.