Keith Huff's Obituary
Keith Edwin Huff, 84, of Decatur, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, April 23, 2016, with his family by his side.
Keith was born January 18, 1932 in Decatur, to Earl R. and Dorothy E. (Smith) Huff. He attended Decatur Public Schools graduating from Decatur high School with the Mid-year Class of 1950. Following graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Camp Stoneman Air Force Base in California followed by two years at Burtonwood Royal Air Force Base in England.
He married Irene Shaw on June 28, 1952, and they were blessed with 63 fulfilling years together.
Upon returning from the service, he joined his father-in-law, Clyde Shaw, co-managing the Curve Inn and later Shaw’s Restaurant on West Grand. After his father-in-law retired and the Curve Inn was sold and the restaurant closed, he opened Huffs Pie House on the corner of 48th and Rock Springs Road. In 1963, he closed the Pie House and went to work at Firestone in the plant 11-7 while attending processing school three evenings a week.
Upon graduation, he was moved to the Data Processing Office. In 1969, he was transferred to Spartanburg, SC as Manager of the Computer Room. In 1979, he received the request to move to Quincy, IL as Computer Manager for Firestone Electric Wheel where he remained until the plant closed in 1983. In 1984, he accepted the position of Director of Information Services at Barnes/Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO where he remained until his retirement in 1994. He and Irene later returned to Decatur in 1998.
Keith is survived by his wife, Irene; two children, Vicki (Jeff) Kroeger, Kim (Jamie) Rees; five very special grandchildren, Julie Herring, Jacob (Hope) Huff, Katrina (Joe) Casper, Brian (Courtney) Kroeger and Erica (Andrew) Coulter; five step- grandchildren, Alisha (Vic) Schroeder, Kristin (Tim) Brown, Heather, Olivia and Jamison Rees; Light of his life seven great-grandchildren, Kennadi, Millie and Anabel Casper, Rayleigh and Denver Huff, Carson and Tommy Coulter, and McKenna Kroeger all who live in Quincy, IL; three step-great-grandchildren, Dylan, Preston and Reagan Schroeder; one sister, Mae (Sam) Porter of Beavercreek, OH; one brother, Dean (Sue) Huff of Greenville, IL and nieces and nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Greg Huff and one grandson –in –law, Chad Herring.
Keith was a member of American Legion Post #105 and Southside Country Club for many years. He enjoyed golf, fishing, bridge and travel especially winter months in Florida and returning to England in 2002 for the Queen’s Jubilee. He was a very loving father and husband who always put family first. Our memories will sustain us until we meet again on this new journey.
Family and friends are invited to a gathering to celebrate Keith’s life on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at South Side Country Club from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2016 at Home Cemetery in Fowler, IL. Memorials may be directed to Decatur Memorial Hospital Hospice 3122 Brettwood Circle, Decatur, IL 62526-2425 or Decatur Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Institute 210 West McKinley Avenue, Decatur, IL 62526
Our family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Anthony McCormack and his staff at Decatur Memorial Hospital and Dr. Craig Reiss Keith’s Cardiologist in St. Louis, MO for working together to extend Keith’s life for more years than we ever expected; Decatur Memorial Hospital Equipment especially Tim and Ken who always ensured Keith had the proper equipment whenever he needed it; and Decatur Memorial Hospital Hospice who kept Keith free of pain and comfortable the last two weeks of his life; and last but not least, we would like to thank, Dr. James Wade for his sincere compassion. We were truly blessed.
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