Major Richard "Dick" Keel

Trivoli-Major Richard “Dick” William Keel Sr., 86, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
He was born on October 29, 1930, in Peoria, to Clarence J. and Clara (Williams) Keel.  They preceded him in death.
He married Mary Jane Kroell on April 3, 1955 in Forest City, IL.  She preceded him in death on April 21, 2014.
Surviving are 5 children, Richard (Jill) Keel Jr. of Pekin, IL, Mary (Jim) Murphy of Van Meter, IA, Susan (Robert) Graham of Hanover, IN, Sarah Keel-Wiebmer of Peoria, IL, Elizabeth (Matt) Clarage of Lemont, IL, grandchildren, Nick (Jamie Turnage) Graham, Matt (Liz) Graham, Catherine Graham, Jillian Murphy, Jay Murphy, Michael Murphy, Jacob Clarage, Benjamin Clarage, great grandchildren, Rowan, Kieran, Oren and Gilia Graham, and one brother Clarence “C.J.” (Pat) Keel of Tampa, FL
Also preceding him in death is one brother, George W. Keel and sister, Frances J. Beasimer.
Dick graduated from Peoria High School in 1948 where he played football, graduated from Brown’s Business College of Peoria, Illinois and later received his bachelors degree from University of Nebraska at Omaha in Economics.
He served in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator and retired with 20 years of service in 1971.  He served in both Korea and Vietnam.  He was later a self-employed farmer in the Trivoli area.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #192 in Farmington, a 32nd degree member of the Valley of Peoria Shriners and the VFW.  He volunteered at the Spoon River Drive with the Masonic Lodge and recently received the “Defender of Freedom” award for Military service from the Farmington Masonic Lodge.  He was a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 5, 2017, from 5-7 pm with a Masonic service from 7–7:30 pm, at the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton with a funeral service on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Penn Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Trivoli, at 10 am.
Burial with military honors will be at the Penn Ridge Cemetery immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to the Farmington Masonic Lodge #192 or the Penn Ridge Lutheran Church, Trivoli, IL.
To view Dick’s video tribute or to leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com