Edward T. Keck

KECK-Edward T., 45, Manhattan, KS, passed away Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, at the
K.U. Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 3, 1963, in Grand Island, NE, the son of Bill and Shirley (Blair) Keck. He grew up in Grand Island and in 1972 moved with his family to North Platte, NE, where he was a 1981 graduate of St. Patrick's Catholic High School. In 1987, he received his BS degree in Graphic Art and Design from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Mr. Keck was a 22-year veteran Transportation Officer of the U.S. Army Reserve, serving three tours including Korea, Bosnia and Iraq. He retired at the rank of MAJ in 2005. Mr. Keck has been a Manhattan resident since 1989. He was Marketing Director of 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 Manhattan. 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."
He was preceded in death by his father, Bill, in 1998. Ed was united in marriage to Jolene M. Smith on May 23, 1986, in North Platte, NE. In addition to his wife, Mr. Keck 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 Keck and wife Cindy, Kenny Keck and wife Theresa, Keven Keck and wife Alice, all of North Platte, Dick Keck and wife Kristie of Kearney, NE; three sisters: Bonnie Tilford, Kathy Buck, and Dorothy Savory and her partner Hubert, and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2008 in the St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Father Don Zimmerman as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery, Manhattan. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, Manhattan. The family will receive friends for an hour preceding the Rosary. 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 can be sent to www.irvinparkview.com IRVIN-PARKVIEW FUNERAL HOME
Manhattan, KS 785-537-2110