Keith A. Pinkerton

MOWEAQUA - Keith A. Pinkerton, 69, of Moweaqua died Saturday, June 4, 2011 in his home after a lengthy illness. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, June 11, 2011 in Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua with Pastor Gaylord Spilker officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until service time, also in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family. Keith was born January 6, 1942 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Ray Kenneth and Emma Jane Pinkerton. On December 22, 1981, Keith married his dearest friend of 15 years, Nancy A. (Standerfer) Yates, in the underground, earth-sheltered home they designed and built. Together, they raised their sons Bryan and Jason Yates in the lush, rural setting they loved so much. Keith graduated from Eisenhower High School in the Class of 1960, and served nearly eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps., one year of which he was stationed in Japan. His final duties were in Tustin, California, where he did sheet metal work on helicopters headed for Vietnam. Keith was very proud of being a Marine and was still very close to his Marine Corps brothers. Keith was a drywall and painting contractor for nearly 45 years, 30 of which he spent in partnership with Gary Schwartzle of Decatur. Keith was a member of the Stonington American Legion and volunteered for the Catholic War Veterans at the Illinois State Fair for many years. He was a member of the Lincoln Trails Council, and the Boy Scouts of America, where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Keith is survived by his wife, Nancy, his sons Bryan Yates of Champaign and Jason (Laura) Yates of Mahomet, his triplet grandchildren Emma, Aiden and Logan Yates of Mahomet, his sisters Kay Higdon and Janet Townsend of Tallahassee, Florida, his mother-in-law Naomi Standerfer of Moweaqua, his brother-in-law, Jack M. Standerfer of Decatur, his nephews, Jim Higdon, Mike and David Townsend, all of Tallahassee, Joshua Townsend of Springfield, Illinois and his nieces, Taylor and Lauryn Higdon of Tallahassee, and Nicole Townsend of Springfield. Keith loved his wife and sons and was very devoted to his triplet grandchildren. He believed in hard work and a fair price for his efforts in making his client's homes and businesses look beautiful. He also favored Santa Claus in his looks and loved it when children approached him and wanted to talk with him. He told them he was Santa's brother. Keith will be greatly missed by his family and many, many loving friends. But, Jesus had an offer for a drywall job Keith just couldn't resist. You will be blown away when you get to your everlasting home and see his handy-work. God Bless You, Keith. Seitz Funeral Home, Moweaqua has been entrusted with care and service arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at www.seitzfh.com. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/