Gary Keck

     It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Eugene Keck, age 70, on December 6, 2024, at West River Health Campus in Evansville, Indiana. Gary was born on March 25, 1954, in Flora, Illinois to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Quentin and Beulah (Eastin) Keck. 

     Gary was a country boy who was raised on the family farm in Clay City, Illinois. After graduating high school, he went to work on the farm until a winter day while he was lying on a cool, concrete floor working on machinery when he decided to go back to school to get his teaching degree. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University with his degree in elementary education, and he blessed the lives of many students during his 38 years of teaching. He taught GED classes at night through Frontier Community College and Wabash Valley College, and he spent his elementary teaching career at various schools including Merriam Grade School, Mill Shoals Grade School, Crossville Grade School, and finally at Jefferson Attendance Center where he coined the phrase, “The Home of the Future Bulldogs.” He dedicated his life to being a good male role model to the students he taught in 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades. 

     He married Susan Meriwether on a cold, snowy morning on March 24, 1990 at Olive Church in Albion, Illinois with his father-in-law, the Reverend Harold Meriwether, officiating. Together, they shared 34 years of marriage and were blessed with a son, Larrin Quentin, on April 25, 1993, and a granddaughter, Maisie Jane, whom he referred to as his doll on August 24, 2024. 

     As an avid sports fan, Gary loved watching many different sports and teams and spent many years coaching youth teams, but his favorite team was, of course, the Carmi Bulldogs. In the fall, he could always be found in the bleachers at Harrington-Jeffries Sports Complex cheering on the Dogs, especially during his son’s senior year when he was able to watch him play football.

    He is survived by his wife, Susan; son, Larrin Quentin (Hannah) Keck; granddaughter, Maisie Jane Keck; sister, Karla Keck; sister-in-law, Linda Keck; a niece and great niece; as well as numerous nephews, great nephews, and cousins. 

    Gary was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Linda Marie Keck; a brother, Garland Dean Keck; his father and mother-in-law, Rev. Harold and Kay Meriwether and a brother-in-law, Bruce Meriwether.

     A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 on Friday, December 13th, 2024 with funeral services on Saturday, December 14th, 2024 at 10:00. Services will be at Carmi Emmanuel Church which is located at 203 Edgewood Lane, Carmi, Illinois 62821. Burial will follow at Stokes Chapel Cemetery in Crossville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Jefferson Attendance Center to be used for the needs of its students which will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi.