John Keith Rasmussen

John Keith Rasmussen passed from this earthly existence on December 15, 2020 at the age of 90. He was born in Owaneco, Illinois on November 7, 1930 at the residence of his parents John C. and Thelma E. Sigley Rasmussen. When his mother passed away in 1933 John was two years old, he and his sister were raised by their mother’s parents John Logan and Mary Elsie O’Connor Sigley and their mother’s younger sister Mary A. Sigley Burke. John attended elementary school in Waggoner, Illinois and graduated in 1948 from Waggoner Community High School. He was a member of the now defunct Waggoner Methodist Church.

Mr. Rasmussen served three and one half years in the US Air Force during the period of the Korean police action. After his discharge in 1954 he attended Springfield Junior College for one year and then graduated from Bradley University in 1958. John retired on December 31, 1991 from the State of Illinois after thirty years of service as an accountant with the Departments of Personnel and Central Management Services.

John is survived by one sister M. Kathryn McGown of Springfield, four step-children: Deborah K. Grman of Springfield, Nancy L. Rice of Pleasant Plains, John R. (Lynette) Fry of Petersburg and Joyce L. Fry of Springfield, five step grandchildren: Mollie Beth (Chris) Easley, Annie Rice, Luke (Audrey) Rice, Matthew Grman and Tiffany Fry. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ellen Kaye and brother-in-law Russell McGown.

Mr. Rasmussen was a life member of the Disabled American Veteran’s Hall Hagler Chapter #15, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons serving as the Past Master of Rochester Lodge 635, life member Scottish Rite Valley of Springfield, Life Member of ANSAR Shrine, member of the Abe Lincoln High Twelve Club Number 38 and the American Legion Post 701 in Waggoner, Illinois.

Friends are invited for open house calling hours on Sunday December 20, 2020 from 1:00pm until 5:00pm at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. The Interveteran’s Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct Military Honors at 2:30pm on Monday December 21, 2020 at Oak Ridge Cemetery. CDC Guidelines will be followed regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Illinois Masonic Charities Fund or to the DAV Hall Hagler Chapter #15 and condolences may be left at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com