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James Keefe
posted on: 2014-12-06
James M. "Jim" Keefe, age 71, of Little York, Illinois passed away at his rural residence on December 5, 2014 at 7:35 pm. Jim was born on May 30, 1943 in Fairbury, Illinois and is the son of Raymond W. and Josephine Myers Keefe. He was raised and educated in Piper City, Illinois and graduated from High School. He attended and received his bachelor's degree in English from Illinois Wesleyan College, where he joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He then continued and received his master's degree in school psycology from Illinois State University. Jim was first married to Brigit Sparling on July 8, 1967 in Washington, Illinois. He was later married to Lenna Burnett on July 2, 2000 at the South Henderson Church near Gladstone, Illinois. She is surviving. Jim first served as School Psychologist for the Akron, Ohio Public Schools from 1967 to 1972. James then was the school psychologist Knox-Warren Special Education in Galesburg,IL and served as Principal of Warren Achievement School until it closed. He also joined the staff at Warren Achievement Center as both it's president and the vice president. Jim enjoyed photography in his Bald Bluff Studio and took many photographs. He has been a member of the Monmouth Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a member and has been active in the events of the Buchanan Center for the Arts. Jim has been very active musically in the community performing with the Warren CountyDixie Land Band. He loved his farming and caring for animals. He loved to go camping, boating, sailing, and hiking. He has taught at Monmouth College and recently taught a behavior modification coarse at the college. He loved playing golf, running, and bicycling. Jim loved cooking, and food, and good wine. Jim is survived by his wife Lenna Burnett of Little York, Illinois and two daughters, Morgan Keefe Hartman (Gregg Pawley) of Miami, FL; and Molly Keefe Forsyth (Dan) of Washington, DC. His stepson Brian Clegg of Monmouth, IL; and stepdaughters, Angie (Kevin) Bowen of Hampshire, IL and Ashley (Kyle) Winbigler of Galesburg, IL. There are three grandsons, Blake and Brody Bowen, and Jackson Winbigler surviving. He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, David Keefe
Services: A memorial service for James Keefe is planned on Friday December 12, 2014 at the Dahl Chapel of Monmouth College. His family plans to be present and receive friends at the chapel from 11:00 to 1:00 pm on Friday Dec.12, 2014. Memorial funds have been established for either Warren Achievement Center or the Buchanan Center for the Arts.
