Obituary
Alexander F. "Bear" Keck, Jr., 76, of O'Fallon, Ill., born Dec. 19, 1936, in Memphis, Tenn., passed away on Aug 3, 2013, at Barnes Jewish Hospital after a courageous 2-year battle with cancer. While battling a rare form of cancer, the research and treatment regimen knowledge gained by his doctors will assist future generations of cancer patients.
Bear moved to University City in 1942 and eventually settled in East St. Louis, Ill. He graduated from Central Catholic/Assumption High School in 1954 and St. Louis University in 1958 with a degree in Geology. He retired 5 years ago from the air/ground freight industry after 40 years. In the 60s and 70s, he played second base for the Tasmanian Devils softball team. He also served as a US Army Reservist.
He was a man of simple needs. He was a faithful, spiritual man who attended St. Nicholas Catholic Church every Sunday. Bear loved his family, golf, sports, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a man of few words, respected and loved for his wisdom and wit.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alexander Sr. and Hedwig, nee Brewer; his father and mother- in-law, William G. and Vesta L., nee Womick, Foley.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lorraine, nee Foley, Keck; and his three sons, Stephen M., Paul G., and Jeffrey A., all of O'Fallon. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Patricia Thomas, James and Kate Hamilton, and Diane Foley, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, and his "good buddy", Sadie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Galactosemia Foundation in Bear's memoriam. Bear's nephew Keegan Foley suffers from this rare genetic metabolic disorder and with these donations, the family hopes to bring awareness to this disorder and funding for research. For more information visit www.galactosemia.org.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon, and from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at the church.
Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at the church, with Msgr. William Hitpas presiding. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, Ill.
Bear moved to University City in 1942 and eventually settled in East St. Louis, Ill. He graduated from Central Catholic/Assumption High School in 1954 and St. Louis University in 1958 with a degree in Geology. He retired 5 years ago from the air/ground freight industry after 40 years. In the 60s and 70s, he played second base for the Tasmanian Devils softball team. He also served as a US Army Reservist.
He was a man of simple needs. He was a faithful, spiritual man who attended St. Nicholas Catholic Church every Sunday. Bear loved his family, golf, sports, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a man of few words, respected and loved for his wisdom and wit.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alexander Sr. and Hedwig, nee Brewer; his father and mother- in-law, William G. and Vesta L., nee Womick, Foley.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lorraine, nee Foley, Keck; and his three sons, Stephen M., Paul G., and Jeffrey A., all of O'Fallon. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Patricia Thomas, James and Kate Hamilton, and Diane Foley, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, and his "good buddy", Sadie.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Galactosemia Foundation in Bear's memoriam. Bear's nephew Keegan Foley suffers from this rare genetic metabolic disorder and with these donations, the family hopes to bring awareness to this disorder and funding for research. For more information visit www.galactosemia.org.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O'Fallon, and from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at the church.
Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at the church, with Msgr. William Hitpas presiding. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, Ill.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alexander F. Keck, Jr., please visit our flower store.
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