Banks & Beals Funeral Homes, P.C.

Obituaries - 2010

Jack Clifford McKeown

Jack Clifford McKeown, age 81 of Stronghurst, Illinois died at 8:45 p.m. Sunday March 21, 2010 in the Roseville Country Manor in Roseville, Illinois. Earlier, he had resided at Courtyard Estates and Legacy Estates in Monmouth, and at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. He was born July 19, 1928 in Burlington, Iowa, the only son of Samuel Clifford and Grace A. Simonson McKeown. After his parents divorced, his father moved to Murphysboro, IL, and Jack lived with his mother in Stronghurst until she passed away in 1980.

Jack was a lifelong resident of Stronghurst and graduated from Stronghurst High School in 1946. He often spoke of his senior trip to Chicago. As a young boy, he played trumpet, took piano lessons, tap danced, and played basketball. At the age of 19, he was diagnosed with diabetes. Because of his diagnosis, he was unable to enlist in the military service.

Jack worked in the body shop of the C.E. Neff Company in Stronghurst for a short time, and then was an auto mechanic for Davison Motor Sales in Stronghurst for many years, until his retirement. He loved to play pool and was a member of many pool leagues in the area. His house was full of antiques which he always had a story for. His prize possession was his 1948 Chevy Stylemaster, which he would wash and polish on weekends and proudly drive in the Stronghurst Christmas Parade and take to local car shows .
Jack also enjoyed buying older cars, fixing them up and selling them. He was known as one of the last “shade tree mechanics”. He loved to read newspapers and magazines on his front porch swing, sometimes even sleeping there on a nice summer’s night. He also enjoyed watching kids play and activities at the Stronghurst Park. Jack liked to shop for nice clothes in Burlington, walk or drive through Crapo Park, go to the movies, walk around the mall, attend local auctions, and attend car shows, especially the annual Maple City Street Machines event in Monmouth. His favorite TV shows included mysteries, Johnny Carson, and NASCAR races. He enjoyed spending the holidays with his family, attending his granddaughter’s band concerts and his grandson’s sporting events. One of his favorite things was meeting his friends and neighbors for coffee and good conversation at the Hurry Back Grill in Stronghurst.

Survivors include one daughter - Theresia (David) Pettett of Monmouth, IL., two grandchildren-Christine M. Pettett and Troy F. Pettett, both of Monmouth, his life long special friend and companion- Christa A. Scholz of Monmouth, and a cousin- Connie (Robert) Hill of Biggsville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother- Ruth McKeown, and various aunts uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday March 26, 2010 in the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Rev. Richard Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Banks & Beals. Memorials have been established for Roseville Country Manor or the Stronghurst Senior Citizens Center. Send a condolence here.

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Obituaries - 2010 Jack Clifford McKeown Jack Clifford McKeown, age 81 of Stronghurst, Illinois died at 8:45 p.m. Sunday March 21, 2010 in the Roseville Country Manor in Roseville, Illinois. Earlier, he had resided at Courtyard Estates and Legacy Estates in Monmouth, and at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst. He was born July 19, 1928 in Burlington, Iowa, the only son of Samuel Clifford and Grace A. Simonson McKeown. After his parents divorced, his father moved to Murphysboro, IL, and Jack lived with his mother in Stronghurst until she passed away in 1980. Jack was a lifelong resident of Stronghurst and graduated from Stronghurst High School in 1946. He often spoke of his senior trip to Chicago. As a young boy, he played trumpet, took piano lessons, tap danced, and played basketball. At the age of 19, he was diagnosed with diabetes. Because of his diagnosis, he was unable to enlist in the military service. Jack worked in the body shop of the C.E. Neff Company in Stronghurst for a short time, and then was an auto mechanic for Davison Motor Sales in Stronghurst for many years, until his retirement. He loved to play pool and was a member of many pool leagues in the area. His house was full of antiques which he always had a story for. His prize possession was his 1948 Chevy Stylemaster, which he would wash and polish on weekends and proudly drive in the Stronghurst Christmas Parade and take to local car shows . Jack also enjoyed buying older cars, fixing them up and selling them. He was known as one of the last “shade tree mechanics”. He loved to read newspapers and magazines on his front porch swing, sometimes even sleeping there on a nice summer’s night. He also enjoyed watching kids play and activities at the Stronghurst Park. Jack liked to shop for nice clothes in Burlington, walk or drive through Crapo Park, go to the movies, walk around the mall, attend local auctions, and attend car shows, especially the annual Maple City Street Machines event in Monmouth. His favorite TV shows included mysteries, Johnny Carson, and NASCAR races. He enjoyed spending the holidays with his family, attending his granddaughter’s band concerts and his grandson’s sporting events. One of his favorite things was meeting his friends and neighbors for coffee and good conversation at the Hurry Back Grill in Stronghurst. Survivors include one daughter - Theresia (David) Pettett of Monmouth, IL., two grandchildren-Christine M. Pettett and Troy F. Pettett, both of Monmouth, his life long special friend and companion- Christa A. Scholz of Monmouth, and a cousin- Connie (Robert) Hill of Biggsville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother- Ruth McKeown, and various aunts uncles and cousins. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday March 26, 2010 in the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst with Rev. Richard Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Banks & Beals. Memorials have been established for Roseville Country Manor or the Stronghurst Senior Citizens Center. Send a condolence here.
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