ROBERT W. KEENE

Robert Keene

Robert W. "Bob" Keene, 73, of Lewistown died at 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 3, 1926, in Hymera, Ind., the son of Clara Keene and Wade Millman. He married Dorothy Shroyer in June 1945 in Danville. She died in July 1976. He married Viola Leezer in December 1977. She died Nov. 10, 1982. He married Betty Ramey on June 28, 1996, in Cuba. She survives.

Also surviving are three sons, Robert (and Barb) of Peoria, Steve (and Rose) of Jacksonville and Dick (and Marsha) of Astoria; two daughters, Nita (and Jim) Hughes of Liverpool and Sue (and John) McCance of Cuba; one sister, Jo Good of Danville; five stepsons, Jon Ramey, Ted (and Carol) Ramey and Joe (and Lissi) Ramey, all of Lewistown, James (and Shelly) Ramey of Peoria and Nelso (and Carol) Ramey of Kennesaw, Ga.; three stepdaughters, Dona (and Jack) Stutsman of Lewistown, Marsha (and Merle) Gazelle of Washington and Cindy (and Brett) McGehee of Georgetown; 14 grandchildren; 16 stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and five stepgreat-grandchildren.

A World War II Navy veteran, he was a member of Lewistown American Legion Post 1.

He worked at International Harvester Co. in Canton for seven years and later worked at Keystone Steel & Wire Co. in Bartonville for 25 years, retiring in 1980.

He attended Bradley University in Peoria for one year, where he was a member of the basketball team. He also had played with independent basketball teams in the Peoria area.

A member of the IHSA Officials Association, he officiated at basketball, football and baseball events.

He was a member of Lewistown United Methodist Church.

He was a former member of Lewistown Optimist Club and Canton Moose Lodge. He also had been a member of men's bowling leagues in Lewistown and Canton.

Private family services were held today at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown with Rev. George Terry officiating. Visitation was also held today from 2:30-3 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Home in Danville, followed by committal services at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Danville.

Memorials may be made to Spoon River Hospice at Graham Hospital in Canton.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 9/20/2000