Robert T. "Bob" DeKeyser

KEWANEE - Robert T. “Bob” DeKeyser, 88, of Kewanee, passed away at 3:50 p.m., Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the Hillcrest Home in rural Geneseo.

A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint John Paul II Parish. Celebrant will be Fr. Doug Hennessy. A public visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 13 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee with the family not being present. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. The funeral home will monitor capacity limits to maintain compliance with COVID regulations. The funeral home requires that all guests wear a mask for the safety of all those attending. A Celebration of Life will be held at later date. Memorials can be directed to Saint John Paul II Parish, Visitation Catholic School or to Abilities Plus.

He was born March 20, 1932 in Kewanee, the son of Gustaf and Margaret (Standaert) DeKeyser. He married Margaret Cassidy on June 23, 1954. He then later married Ruth Fisher Johnson on March 19, 1982 and she preceded him in death on January 11, 2005. Later in life, he enjoyed the company of his lifelong friend, Donna Tucker. He is survived by his children, Gregory (Jill) DeKeyser of Kewanee, Ann (Irv) Klimkewicz of Kaiser, MO, Lynn (David) Domek of Naperville, IL, Kathy West of Apache Junction, AZ, Patty Simpkins of Abingdon, IL, Bob (Andrea) Johnson of Tucson, AZ, and Jennifer Johnson of Memphis, TN, twenty grandchildren, forty great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, two sisters, Marie (Dennis) Marchand of Kewanee and Dorothy (Harry) Weston of Washington, IL, a brother John (Barbara) DeKeyser of Gresham, OR and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth, a sister, Judith Bare and three brothers, Richard, Donald and Lawrence.

Bob attended Visitation Grade School (where he was the marble champion!) and then attended Kewanee High School, graduating in 1950. He had also attended Brown’s Business College. He served his country in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a district manager for Wonder Bread and had also owned and operated DeKeyser Insurance in Kewanee for a number of years.

Bob was very active in his children’s lives where he was a PTA President, Scout Leader and baseball coach. He enjoyed many camping trips across the United States with his children as they were growing up. In later years, he enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada with his son Greg, grandson Eric and his fishing buddies. He also enjoyed golfing and had sponsored several leagues at Baker Park. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Kewanee Veterans Council, where he served as Chaplin. He enjoyed socializing and was a friend to many and was known for his character, wit and charm. He was very proud of his family and he will be deeply missed by them and by all who knew him.

If you have a favorite memory of Bob, please share your story, photo, or video to memoriesbobdekeyser@gmail.com.

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