Keith Ray Eilers

Keith Ray Eilers, 69, of Belleville, IL, born Sunday, March 27, 1955, in St. Louis, MO, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Hawn State Park in St. Genevieve, MO.
Keith was a retired Tool & Die Maker for PTL Manufacturing Inc. in Belleville, IL. He was a member of Hope Chapel where he served as Elder. He was also a member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace workers, Belleville RC Flyers, Academy of Model Aeronautics, and Freeburg Men's Bible Study.
Keith loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his family, and his Hope Chapel church family. He enjoyed time at his cabin and the wild life there. It was his happy place. He was Mr. Fix-It; always helping to keep things running and coming to the rescue. He loved Sunday family dinners, camping, riding his motorcycle, bicycling, and in the past bowling and softball. He was a gifted athlete and set many track records at BTHS East High School. He was a talented tool and die maker, mechanic and craftsman, utilizing these skills with his passion for restoring old vehicles. His favorite being his yellow 1948 Chevy Pick-up.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, son-in-law, son and friend. He was involved in the lives of so many as a mentor and discipler from teens to adults. There will be a hole because he left us before we were ready, but we know he is resting in the arms of his Savior, safely home.
He was preceded in death by his:
Father: Donald J. Eilers
Mother: Sheila, nee Phipps, Eschenfelder
Sister: Beverly Staudt
Nephew: Mark Staudt
Great nephew: Jaxon Miller
Surviving are his:
Loving wife of 49 years: Karen D., nee Recklein, Eilers of Belleville, IL
Children
Angela (Ryan) Foree of Freeburg, IL
Ross (Rachel) Eilers of Swansea, IL
Neal Eilers of Carlyle, IL
Grandchildren
Autumn Foree
Amber Foree
Roman Foree
Reed Eilers
Macy Eilers
Mother-in-law: Martha Recklein of Fairview Heights, IL
Nieces
Nicole (Joe) Rogers
Natalie (Chris) Miller
Sister-in-law: Donna (Keith) French of Elgin, IL
Extended family: Brenda Eschenfelder
Great nieces and cousins
Memorials: Memorials may be made to Hope Chapel, 2726 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL 62223
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 4, 2024 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL and from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Rev. David Raynaud officiating. Interment will follow at Green Mount Protestant Cemetery, Belleville, IL.