April 6, 1964

Father Hugh O'Keeffe

Father O'Keeffe was born in Glounamuckla, Newmarket, County Cork, Ireland on August 12, 1928. After attending Taur National School in Taur and St. Coleman's College in Fermoy, he studied for the priesthood at St. John's College in Waterford. Bishop Daniel Cohalan ordained him for the Diocese of Wichita in the cathedral in Waterford on June 17, 1954. His assignments in the diocese were as assistant in Derby, as assistant chaplain at St. Francis Hospital, as assistant in Independence and as assistant at St. Teresa's Parish in Hutchinson. His last assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s Parish in Chanute from June 15, 1962 until he died in a car wreck two miles north of South Mound on April 6, 1964. During his priesthood he was director of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Nurses. Bishop Byrne celebrated Father O'Keeffe's funeral at St. Patrick's Church in Chanute on April 15, 1964 and he was buried in St. Patrick’s Parish cemetery.