"Robert W. Keene, 73, of Lewistown, IL, died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2000, at his residence. Born Oct. 3, 1926, in Hymera, IN, to 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 (Barb) of Peoria, Steve (Rose) of Jacksonville and Dick (Marsha) of Astoria; two daughters, Mrs. Jim (Nita) Hughes of Liverpool and Mrs. John (Sue) McCance of Cuba; one sister, Jo Good of Danville; six stepsons, Virgil Leezer, Jon Ramey, Ted Ramey, Joe Ramey, James Ramey and Nelson Ramey; six stepdaughters, Wanda Palmer, Diane Lowe, Cathy Mills, Dona Stutsman, Marsha Gazelle and Cindy MeGehee; 15 grandchildren; 27 step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and five step-great-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 and 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 the 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 Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown. Committal services were held at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Danville." (Obituary provided by Lloyd Eldon Leezer)