Funeral services were celebrated recently in Long Beach for former Mount Carmel High School and USC football star Marlin McKeever, who died Oct. 27 at age 66 of head injuries suffered in a fall at his home.

McKeever was injured Oct. 24 and taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, where he died with his family at his bedside. His twin brother Mike, with whom he earned All-American recognition at USC, had died in 1967 after 22 months in a coma from head injuries suffered in an automobile accident.

The McKeevers, born New Year's Day 1940 in Wyoming, were both multi-sports stars at Mount Carmel High and went on to football stardom at USC --- Marlin playing fullback and defensive end, Mike playing guard --- and earned a place on Sports Illustrated's cover. They also competed in track.

Marlin then played 13 years in the National Football League, including eight with the L.A. Rams as a linebacker and tight end; he also played with Minnesota, Philadelphia and Washington. Mike's career, however, was curtailed by a head injury suffered in his senior season at USC, and he never played in the pros.

After his NFL career, Marlin became active in business as a stockbroker and insurance executive, but stayed active in football as well. He held executive posts with the short-lived World Football League of the 1970s, and also headed the Trojan Football Alumni Club. He also supported the Mount Carmel Fund which helps raise money for Los Angeles Catholic grammar schools.

Marlin McKeever is survived by his wife, Judy, and his four children, Marlin Jr., Kellee, David and Michelle. His niece, Teri McKeever, was an All-American swimmer at USC who is now the head women's swimming coach at UC Berkeley.

Donations in his memory may be made to any of the following organizations: High Hopes Head Trauma Center, 2953 Edinger, Tustin, CA 92780.; Crespi Carmelite High School, 5031 Alonzo Ave., Encino, CA, 91316; St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, Marlin McKeever Head Trauma Fund, 1050 Linden Ave., Long Beach, CA 90813; or Marv Goux, c/o USC Athletics, University Park Center, Los Angeles, CA 90089.