Richard E. “Dick” Keepes, 90, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Oakview Heights Continuous Care and Rehab. He was born on September 11, 1930 in Wabash County, Illinois, the son of Edward and Mary “Mayme” (Wahler) Keepes. He married Wilma Boyd and she preceded him in death on January 30, 1986.
Dick faithfully served his Country as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked in construction and was a skilled Carpenter. He was employed by Mount Carmel Public Utility from 1965 to 1991. Dick loved his family and took great joy in his eight grandchildren. His favorite saying was “Hey Dad”. He went swimming every day for twenty years at the YMCA pool. In his younger years, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also was a voracious reader. Dick loved spending time at his river camp along with his chocolate lab, Babe. Dick was an extremely witty man and a fantastic story teller. He was proud of his family and treasured the time he spent with them. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Dick will be remembered by his daughters, Elizabeth Keepes, Marie (George) Miller, Heaven (Danny) Kautzman, and Heather Kaide; grandchildren, Jimmy Beal, Joey Beal, Alisha Agnew, Andrea (Jason) Hohman, Ashley (Kyle) Thompson, Amanda (Patrick) Tolliver, Tommy Kautzman, Maddie Kautzman; and fourteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Wilma Keepes, Dick was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Raymond “’Bud”’ Keepes; and special friend, Clara Bender.
Graveside Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, September 27, 2020 at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Father Robert Zwilling officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s memory to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Envelopes will be at the graveside or may be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry St., Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Dick’s tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave condolences for the Keepes family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com