Maurice E. "Skip" Keniley, 81, of O'Fallon, born December 22, 1932 in East St. Louis, died March 29, 2014 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Skip was employed for nearly 40 years with Mobil Oil in Joliet. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in Suwon, South Korea and was a member of the VFW in Fairview Heights. He also was a member of St. Clare Catholic Church and St. Clare Seniors. Skip was a 3 ^rd degree Knight with O'Fallon Knights of Columbus Council 4239, and 4 ^th degree Knight with Assembly 1829. Skip also belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

In the eyes of his children, he was an exceptional, thoughtful, and sensitive father and step-father, an awesome "Papa," and loving husband. His wit and gentle nature will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carole, nee Stites, Keniley; his parents Patrick M. Keniley, Jr., and Bessie, nee Cochran, Keniley; his daughter Maura Pedersen, and two brothers Patrick Keniley, Jr. and Emmet Keniley.

Skip is survived by his wife Gayle, nee Sibert, Keniley, of O'Fallon; his children Michael (Marsha) Keniley; Mary Sebby, Martin (Nancy) Keniley, all of Plainfield, Ill., Norman Keniley of Huntington Beach, Calif., Margaret (Dale) Hanson of Houston, Tex., Teresa (Joseph) Coccaro of Carmel, Ind., and Sean Keniley of Springfield, Mo. Also his step-children Craig (Jenny) Literski, of O'Fallon, Brett (fiance' Stephanie) Literski, of O'Fallon; and Melissa (Chad) Allen of Edwardsville; many much-loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren and special nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law George Sibert, Jackie Keniley, Patty Werner, and Darrell Stites.

Memorials are requested to St. Clare Catholic Church.

All Visitation and Services will be at St. Clare Catholic Church, 1411 Cross Street, Shiloh, Ill.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at St. Clare Catholic Church, Shiloh, and after 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, at the church.

On Tuesday evening at the church, The Ancient Order of Hibernians will conduct a service at 6:00 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus will conduct a Chalice Service at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at St. Clare Catholic Church, with Rev. James Deiters presiding. Burial with military honors will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens.