Dr. June F. Kearney

Dr. June Frances Kearney was born in Newburyport, MA on July 15, 1940, and went to be with the Lord on October 29, 2023, in Placentia, CA. June is survived by her brother David, niece Stacie with husband Kevin, niece Kelly with husband Matt, three great nieces (Rielle, Quinn, Emerson) and one great nephew (Andrew). June’s immediate family joins her extended family, including Carol Lancaster and family, Maryalyce Jeremiah and family, and Julie Max and family, in celebrating June’s extraordinary life and contributions.

June spent her Elementary School years and one year of High School in Newburyport, MA. She completed High School at Wheaton Academy in Wheaton, IL and then received her B.S. degree in Physical Education at Taylor University in Upland, IN. June’s first job as a 23-year-old was at Cedarville College in Cedarville, OH where she spent the next 20 years of her professional life. She coached all women’s sports while an athletic program was being built. In fact, June was instrumental in developing the first Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Program for which she was recognized by being inducted in Cedarville’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Dr. Kearney truly has had a lasting impact on women in athletics at what is now Cedarville University. She advocated for women her entire life, both personally and professionally. While at Cedarville June completed her master's degree in counselling from Wittenberg University and her Ph.D. from Ohio State University.

Later, Dr. Kearney became an Assistant Basketball Coach at Indiana University where she made significant contributions to the IU Women’s Basketball Team winning the first Big Ten Championship in 1984. In that same year she left Indiana to become an Assistant Basketball Coach at California State University, Fullerton where she also served as Director of Compliance and Academics. June served on numerous university committees promoting equality for women in athletics until she retired in 2005.

June’s calm, winning personality, empathy, wonderful smile, and meaningful contributions to the lives of so many are part of the legacy that she is leaving behind. Her consistent, deep love for the Lord and desire to affect others in positive ways will be missed by many longtime friends, former students, athletes, and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in June's memory to EIF / Entertainment Industry Foundation, by clicking the link below. Be sure to dedicate your donation to Dr. June F. Kearney by clicking the box that is located under the donation amounts.This foundation created and funded the EIF Revlon Run/Walks in Los Angeles through its Women's Cancer Programs. June participated in these walks for about a decade.