Dorothy Jane Keck's Obituary
Decatur – Dorothy Jane (Foley) Keck, 95, of Decatur, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, June 1, 2018 at her daughter’s home.
Dorothy was born in Dora Township, Moultrie County, IL on November 12, 1922, the daughter of John Francis and Dorothy Lula (Kitch) Foley. She attended West Stringtown (country) School, Lovington Grade School, Lovington High School, St. Teresa High School and graduated from Cleveland High School in St. Louis, MO in 1939. She attended Brown’s Business College in Decatur.
She married Robert P. Keck on April 23, 1949 in Decatur.
Prior to her marriage she was employed at Walrus Mfg. Co., A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. and General Electric Co., all in Decatur, and at California Fruit Growers in Dallas, TX. She retired in 1988 after 10 years of working in records at the Decatur Police Department.
Dorothy studied singing at Millikin University and performed as a soloist many times in the Decatur area. For 12 years she was a member of Grace Notes, a local women’s vocal ensemble. At various times she served as cantor, lector, organist and choir member at St. Thomas and St. Patrick Churches. In her later years Dorothy was a volunteer pianist in the Decatur Memorial Hospital lobby and in the dining room at Imboden Creek. She belonged to Toastmasters International for several years.
Surviving are her sons, William Keck of Sonoma, CA and John Keck of Estherville, IA; daughter, Paula (Kevin) Campbell of Decatur; grandchildren, Julie (Mike) Clark, Joe Campbell and Belli (Victoria) Skinner; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Phoebe, Bridget and Piper Clark, and Castiel Skinner; and several dear nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James, John, William and Robert Foley; sister, Mary Naughton; and daughter-in-law, Starry Keck.
Funeral services for Dorothy will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur. Visitation will be held one hour before the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery in rural Lovington, IL. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick School or donor’s choice.
The family would like to give a special thanks to her dear friends at The New Look Salon.
Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Ave., Decatur, IL 62526, is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com
Video Tribute for Dorothy Jane Keck: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/LX2B4ZBBJ99LF3W5
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