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