Edward T. Keck

1963 - 2008

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Edward T. Keck, 45, Manhattan, Kan., formerly of North Platte, passed away Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, at the Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Feb. 3, 1963, in Grand Island, the son of Bill and Shirley Blair Keck Sr. He grew up in Grand Island and in 1972, moved with his family to North Platte where he was a 1981 graduate of St. Patrick's Catholic High School. In 1987, he received his B.S. degree in Graphic Art and Design from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

On May 23, 1986, Ed was united in marriage to Jolene M. Smith in North Platte.

Ed was a 22-year veteran transportation officer of the U.S. Army Reserve, serving three tours including Korea, Bos-nia and Iraq. He retired with the rank of Major in 2005.

Ed has been a Manhattan resident since 1989. He was marketing director for Kansas Farm Bureau for 15 years and for the past two years, has worked as a project manager for M2 Technologies.

He was a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 8488 in Man-hattan. He was always eager to coach in the city's youth sports leagues over the years and loved to watch his sons compete in any sport. Ed was a loving husband and father and was extremely proud of his three sons. Ed always put his family first and he was deeply loved by all his family and friends. He will continue to be known by his nieces and nephews as "Uncle Best Guy."

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Shane S. Keck and his fiancé, Danna Davidson, Aaron M. Keck, and Patrick D. Keck of Manhattan; his mother, Shirley Keck of North Platte; six brothers, Bill "Butch" Keck of Omaha, Allan Keck, Steve (Cindy) Keck, Kenny (Theresa) Keck, Keven (Alice) Keck, all of North Platte, Dick (Kristie) Keck of Kearney; three sisters, Bonnie Tilford, Kathy Buck, and Dorothy Savory and her partner, Hubert, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bill, in 1998.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Keck Boys' College Fund and left in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to www.irvinparkview.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2008, at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church with the Rev. Don Zimmerman as celebrant.

Burial will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan. The family will receive friends at the church for an hour preceding the rosary.

Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.