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Joseph Keevil Obituary
January 28, 1929 - October 16, 2013
Joseph Alfred Keevil, 84, passed away of respiratory failure in Modesto, California on October 16, 2013. Born January 28, 1929, in Seleneville, Ohio, he was the son of Christian Church Minister, Robert Graham Keevil, and Edna Morgan Keevil.
After graduating from high school in Noblesville, Indiana in 1947, Joe enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He attended radio school and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after receiving pilot training at San Antonio, Texas, and Enid, Oklahoma. He flew T-6's, B-25's, B-50's, B-29's, B-36's, and B-47's; and became an instructor pilot for B-52's under the Strategic Air Command at Castle. He served on temporary duty at Lakenheath and Mildenhall AF Bases in England and flew combat missions from Island of Okinawa during the Vietnam War.
During his twenty-three year military career, Joe was also stationed at bases in Montgomery, Alabama, and Roswell, New Mexico; returning to Castle until his retirement in 1970. He was awarded the Military Good Conduct Medal and two Unit Citations.
After purchasing a small hobby store in Modesto in 1970, he moved his family there where he and his wife Frances formed their own business, known as Modesto Hobby and Crafts, operating it for twenty-nine years before he retired a second time in 1999.
A knowledgeable "do-it-yourselfer" and talented woodworker, Joe's interests over his lifetime included skiing, hunting, golfing, racquetball, handball and building scale model airplanes.
He was a member of the Masonic Shrine, and Scottish Rite organizations.
He is survived by Frances Harris Keevil, his wife of 58 years, son Joseph (Lana) of Oakdale, and daughter Wendy Miller (Ken); grandchildren Brittany and Brandon Miller of Riverbank, and brother Robert Graham Keevil (Patty) and sister-in-law Lucy Keevil of Chicago.
To honor Joe a celebration of life will be held on Thurs., October 24, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. at Big Valley Grace Community Church, 4040 Tully Road, Modesto, CA. A private family burial will be held at a military cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution in his name can be made to Community Hospice or Wounded Warriors.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Keevil
Joanne Radcliffe and Family
November 14, 2013
November 14, 2013
To Fran and all the family, I am Blessed to have known Joe Keevill for thirty six years. I worked for Joe and Fran for twenty two years and it was a dream job for me. They are very dear friends and I will miss Joe Sr. very much. Whenever I would call to talk to Fran he was always cheerful, even though I knew that sometimes he may not have felt too well. I was privileged to have been invited to a ceremony when he received a quilt for commemorating his Service to our Country. I know the entire family is so very proud of him as we all are proud to have known him. God Bless him now in heaven and Bless his family left behind. He will be waiting to greet us with a smile on his face.
October 24, 2013
I remember sometime in the late'70s walking home from Sylvan Elementary School. There,on the ground, was a $10 bill. I think the first thing I did was to go to 7-11 to buy some candy. The next thing I did was to go to Modesto Hobby & Crafts in Coffee Plaza. I must have spent scores of hours there and more than a couple of Christmas/Birthday dollars, too. Indeed, if I ever had a 'hangout" as a kid, that place was it! Thanks to Joe and the family...those were happy times.
William Wesslund
October 22, 2013
Fran;,I'm very sorry about Joe. I share in your grief. Bill William O Wessund
Dan Wesslund
October 22, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families. Love Dan, Susan, Annah, and Alec Wesslund
Bill Wesslund
October 22, 2013
I have very fond memories of Uncle Joe. My love and condolences to all.
October 21, 2013
Visited Mr Keevil for years at the Hobby Shop.My thoughts are with his family.
Rose & Morris Miano
October 21, 2013
So sorry for your loss sweet Miller and Keevil Family. Blessings
Dennis Barrett
October 21, 2013
To the Keevil fmily. Joe was great at the Hobby Shop. He used to help me in the mid 70's when I had problems with my trains. Never a charge for it. My friends and I did all of our trains, planes and model rocket business with Joe, Sonny and Joe's wife. What a great place for young kids to go. A truly good man. Sorely missed.
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Funeral services provided by:
Franklin & Downs Funeral Home McHenry Chapel1050 McHenry Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350
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