Helen R. Keene

Helen R. Keene, 90, of Springfield, passed away on Thursday April 7, 2016 at her residence. She was born Jan. 17, 1926 in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Grace Melloy Remus. She married Miltin L. Keene in Dubuque, Iowa, April 4, 1951. An infant daughter Lynn Patricia Keene and daughter Jill (Keene) Cain preceded her in death.

Mrs. Keene graduated from Dubuque Senior High School and went on to attend and graduate from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa.

She was a member of the Springfield Ceramics and Craft Club, where she taught classes for many years; B.A.G. Ladies (Basement Art Group), Senior Center and A.L.L. (Academy of Lifelong Learning), and Faith Lutheran Church. She served as a Leader in 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was a charter member of the Old State Capitol Foundation. She volunteered at the Illinois Presbyterian Home, the Old State Capitol, the Lincoln Herndon Law Office and the Vachel Lindsay Home. She was a former member of Wives of Illinois Highway Engineers and Illinois Professional Engineers Auxiliary and AARP.

She retired from Famous-Barr in 1987. And to the delight of her grandchildren spent much of her time hosting sleepovers, playing cards (Old Maid was a favorite), making her famous “Ovaltine Milkshakes”, and hosting the always anticipated “Longbow Olympics”, where she made sure everyone was a winner!

Survivors: husband Miltin L. Keene, sons Henry (Hank) (wife, Linda) Keene of Springfield, Oliver (Ollie) (wife, Marialyce) Keene of Lenexa Kansas; Daughters, Tammy (husband, Jim) Kissel of Chatham, Jan (husband, Ty) of Athens; eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

The family will meet friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Monday April 11, 2016 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. Burial will be private at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Food Bank and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.