Keepper Reunion 2010

OK Keeppers, it's time to get together, this time down on the FARM! Teresa Keepper Maple has reserved the date of July 31. Stay tuned...more to come. Send an email to Teresa (tre9@comcast.net) to let her know about your plans. Below is the information that Teresa has provided.

"We have identified a hotel located off of 15 minutes from the Keepper farm. Contact me and I will give you details.

"We will need names and addresses in the future for mailings.

"Paula has suggested reunion t-shirts...please provide interest and feedback.

"I also just received word from Paula that Howard has given his blessing to have an outdoor gathering at the farm as well. We are proposing that be on Sunday following the 'greeting' and meal on Saturday.

"At the farm--we are planning to have a hayride to and from the Montgomery church (weather permitting) and, maybe, ice cream and soft drinks...just some good old fashioned fun. Please feel free to make suggestions...that sounds like a good 'Keepper' reunion t-shirt day to me.

"Also, feel free to jump-in on discussions about the logistics. For example, we will have to have porta potties and a 'clean up' crew--we cannot put any burden on Howard or any of his family.

"I am very pleased with how this is coming to together--no 'hair-puller', yet.

"And, so-o-o-o excited about finally bringing the Keepper extended family together.

Paula, Kay, Holly, and Michael and I comprise the downstate committee. Please feel free to converse and share your ideas and input with any one of them."

Lindsay A. Scattergood is engaged to Kevin H. Keepper

On New Years Eve day I drove Lindsay to T. Ashwell's to "get champagne" for New Years Eve. It was about 4PM and the waitstaff was bustling around and setting-up for the night ahead, not fully aware of mine and Lindsay's presence. We wandered into the front room by the piano bar and I began to recite our first conversation we had at this very spot some two and a half years ago. She laughed and played along and I (maybe not so suavely) brought the conversation to the present moment. Then telling her I had a question I have been waiting to ask I dropped to one knee and proposed in a "reasonable" manner. She lit up, said yes, and we are now engaged to be married in the late summer of 2011 (more details to come).

On New Years Eve (some twenty minutes later) my parents joined Lindsay, her family and me at her cottage in Sister Bay. We celebrated with a champagne toast and my dad captured the picture posted here. Also during this toast, Ali, Donna, Kirk, my dad and my mom recounted their stories about how I had let each in on the plot the days before I proposed. Luckily for me, my dad stayed cool and did not spread the news to too many people before the 31st. Also, and even luckier for me, Ali held her breath when she stumbled across the white box the night before and Donna had the same reserve.

Also on New Years Eve I suggested that we could let those at the house party we first attended enjoy their celebration and not steal the thunder. Donna, like a mother can, completely ignored this request and pulled Lindsay across to the first person in living room and showed-off her hand. The rest of the night we felt like celebrities and were privy to some hilarious tales of engagement and plenty of unsolicited (but much appreciated) advice.

On New Years Day both Lindsay and I started making phone calls to immediate family to share the good news. We were both welcomed to each others family and this is why I am writing this post now. I would like to introduce (or reintroduce for those who have met her) my bride-to-be and love, Miss Lindsay A. Scattergood.

We enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving last year. Our traditional family blessing given by Grandfather was especially meaningful. This Thanksgiving, grace will unite us in heart and soul as it has through all our years together. This is Grandfather's blessing to each of us. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving 2008

Preserving our Heritage

The Keepper family farm has been recognized by the state of Illinois for "preserving our heritage." I visited with Uncle Howard last summer in Hillsboro. He holds up the plaque designating the Keepper farm as family owned for over 100 years.

July 5, 2009

We stopped in to say hello to Grandfather and Adele on Sunday, July 5, just six weeks ago. The girls walked into the living room and Grandfather said, "Hi Zoey and Lucy!" We took pics of the girls smelling every flower in the garden and brought the digital camera in to show Grandfather the photos. Here he is grinning from ear to ear.

Dinner on Monday!

Hey everyone,

Please come over to our house on Monday for dinner and to share stories about by George/Grandfather. Lynn will be speaking at the funeral on behalf of all the grandkids. (Thank you Lynn!)

Looking forward to seeing you all,

Joannie and Mike

Lester Haywood Keepper Sr.

Visitation for Lester Haywood Keepper Sr. will be from 9:30-11:00 Tuesday, Aug. 25 at the First United Methodist Church of Waukegan, 128 N. Martin Luther King Ave. (847) 623-2433. The funeral will begin at 11:00 with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be at Benton Greenwood Cemetery in Zion, IL.

Born March 4, 1907, he died peacefully on August 21, 2009 at the age of 102.

The oldest of five brothers and one sister, Lester grew up on a farm in Hillsboro, IL.

Lester lived in Waukegan for over 78 years and raised his family there with his first wife Martha. He founded Boy Scout Troop #10 at North School, was a trustee at Waukegan High school, a block air raid warden during WW II and was a founding member of the Waukegan Garden Club. He was proud to work for Abbott Laboratories as Director of Purchasing for 42 years where he was President of Abbott Laboratories Study Club.

He was a lifelong member of the Methodist church where he actively participated in Bible Study until his passing. He accomplished two “hole in ones” and enjoyed the fellowship at Glen Flora CC, was a patron of his Alma Mater, Illinois Wesleyan University, and traveled around the world with his second wife Adele in his eighties.

Lester will be remembered for his love of family, his strong constitution, commitment to the American tradition, and warm “by George” greetings.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Adele; son’s Lester Jr. (the late Letra), Bill (the late Ruby), John (Beth) and daughter Beth Foster (Mark); his 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and one great, great, grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Herrin Keepper, brothers Kenneth and Delbert, sister Elizabeth, grandson’s Bill and Jeff Keepper.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Salvation Army in his name.

For information contact Marsh Funeral Home

(847) 336-0127