On Sunday, February 21, 2021, Joseph Phillip Keck, Jr. died peacefully with loved ones by his side.  Joe was born February 20, 1935, to Joseph Phillip and Katherine, nee Phillips, Keck in St. Louis, Missouri.  He was so excited to start his life journey that—as the story is told—he kicked his twin sister Joan out of the way so that he could be born 20 minutes before her.  A lifelong resident of O'Fallon, Illinois he was a successful husband, father, brother, friend, and mentor to thousands.

Joe graduated from O'Fallon Township High School (OTHS) in 1952.  He was an Air Force ROTC cadet at Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale, and commissioned into the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant in 1956.  He loved to fly and to tell stories of his days in the military.

It was at SIU where he met the love of his life. While visiting his sister, he met her roommate, Barbara Jean Gibbs.  Joe quickly realized that Barbara was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.  They were married on June 15, 1957.  Together they had three children, Jeffrey Phillip, Scott Joseph, and his favorite daughter Kelly Joan.

First and foremost, Joe loved his family and he would do anything for them.  He changed his plans for a career in the military and returned home when his family needed him.  His father became ill, so Joe took over the First Street Market in O'Fallon and never looked back.  Joe Keck went on to be a successful entrepreneur running Keck's Tom Boy Grocery Store, Shortstop Dairy Store, and Plaza Liquor Store, all in O'Fallon.

His roots in O'Fallon were strong and deep.  He was a regular at Town Lounge where he would catch up on the latest news around town.  In the 1970s and 1980s before cell phones became ubiquitous, all his kids knew the TL's phone number by heart.  He also was a regular with his friends for morning coffee.  He never missed the opportunity to razz a friend about something that had happened the weekend before or to listen, console, or council.  During COVID-19 the group was forced to change locations, but he was not deterred.  On the day he had the stroke that would eventually take his life, he insisted on joining his friends for morning coffee.

Upon stepping back from the day-to-day operations of his business, he threw himself into the Shriners organizations and the countless children and families that the organization helps.  His membership in clubs within the temple include the Color Guard, Director Staff, Sojourners, and Roadrunners.  He was also a past director of the Royal Order of the Jesters Court 86.  Other volunteer activities included being a founding member of O'Fallon's 20 GWBs, as well as a long-time member of the Memorial Hospital Board, the Belleville Area College Board, and OTHS EXCEL 203 Committee.

During this period his family grew by informally adopting his nephew Russell Walter Houston as a son and welcoming in three daughters-in-law, Laura, Elizabeth, and Heather; and a son-in-law  Tim into the family.  Described as the best father-in-law ever, he welcomed each of them into the family with loving arms.  In turn, they blessed him with eight grandchildren that he fiercely loved: Thomas Donald Houston, Katie Grace (Keck) Brooks, Meghan Katherine Houston, Emily Nicole Keck, Justin Joseph Keck, Annie JOE Roberts, Kyle Jeffrey Keck, and Rachel Patricia Roberts.  He also has two great-grandchildren: Grant Joseph Keck and Andie Rae Houston.  He had nicknames for them all, but perhaps the nickname he was most proud of was that of his first great-grandchild Grant "The Great" Keck.

Joe loved to travel.  As soon as he got home from one trip he was planning the next.  With Barb by his side he traveled all over the world and to every corner of the United States.  In 1994, Joe and Barb established "Kamp Keck" on Racetrack Cove at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.  It would become the epicenter of his family for more than 25 years.  Joe and Barb were always going to the lake to host friends from far and wide.

No lake event was more important to Joe than the July family reunion.  Each annual get-together was filled with love, fun, beer, and stories.  But the most important part of every reunion for Joe was the fishing derby and the last night's award ceremony for all of his grandchildren.  With whatever silly hat he could find, he would call them up one at a time to highlight their unique contribution to the week's fun and remind each one of them how special they are.

While he never said it, one can only assume that he set and met the great goals for his life: to be a good person, to love his fellow man, and to be a role model for his loved ones and those who loved him. He will be sorely missed by many.

Joseph P. Keck, Jr. is survived by his wife Barbara, sister Joan Patricia, nee Keck, Houston, as well as his four children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Joseph P. Keck, Sr. and Katherine Keck.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that people honor Joe by donating to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Donations will be accepted at the funeral home.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.wfh-ofallon.com .

Visitation: 4 – 8 pm, Friday, March 5, 2021, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon. The Royal Order of the Jesters will conduct a walk-through at 7:13 pm, Friday, at the funeral home.

Funeral: 10 am, Saturday, March 6, 2021, at O'Fallon United Church of Christ, 206 W. Adams St., O'Fallon, with Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer officiating. Church capacity is limited to 50 attendees, on a first-come basis. Beyond that, please attend via livestreaming at https://bit.ly/3kfq3SM .

Burial will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery, O'Fallon, Illinois.