Charles Keith Sheckler

He was born in rural Ellisville on July 31, 1930 to Charles and Muriel (Teach) Sheckler. Keith married Lela A. McCloskey (Fidler) on November 20, 1959. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lela, his parents, as well as brothers, Howard and Donald Sheckler.

Surviving are his children, Mike (Liz) McCloskey of Ipava and Diana (Ron) Jansen of Pekin; granddaughters, Leigha Jansen and Bili McCloskey; grandson, Kyle (Jessica) Jansen; great-grandsons, Mavrick Jansen, Jazper Jansen, Henry Jansen and Oskar Jansen; great-granddaughter, Karigan Jansen, and great-great-granddaughter, Kaleigha; his sister, Deloris Postin; two nephews and two nieces.

Keith graduated from Ellisville High School, Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois, after which he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, graduating from Officer’s Training and spending most of his active duty on the USS Cutter Bib along the coast of Korea. Keith went from active duty to the Coast Guard Reserves and retired out, due to his age, as a Lieutenant Commander after well over twenty years.

In early 1959 Keith was employed as farm manager at Norris Farms where he stayed until 1972 when he was transferred to Ocala, Florida to the Norris Company’s home office. From Ocala, Keith moved to Marion, Illinois and worked for the federal government in mine land reclamation, then on to Springfield, Illinois where he worked in the Farm Management Department of the First National Bank as a farm manager. Keith and several other farm managers, as well as their secretary, purchased the farm department from the bank and created Agri-Vest Farm Management Services from which he retired at the age of eighty-three.

After retirement, Keith enjoyed traveling with his special friend, Linda Dodd, spending time with his family, attending and working with his church, Hope Presbyterian in Springfield, and especially the men’s weekly Bible study group.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024 at North Pekin Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Ron Jansen, his son-in-law, will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral at the church. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton, with military rites accorded by the United States Coast Guard and Tazewell Military Rites Team. Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com