Herman Keen

Herman Keen, 78, passed away Friday, March 18, 2016 in Waco, Texas after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be Thursday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at Connally Compton Funeral Directors. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Herman was born Feb. 24, 1938 in Roth, Virginia to Harvey and Lydia (Hinkle) Keen, the seventh child of a coal mining family. Herman joined the Army in 1957. While stationed in Germany, he met his wife, Maria. They married August 12, 1960. Herman served one tour of Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. After 20 years of military service, he retired at Fort Hood with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He then went to work for the US Postal Service in Waco from 1978 to 1998 as a mail processing clerk. He was a longtime resident of Lorena, Texas and enjoyed playing golf, traveling and spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters; and 7 brothers.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maria Keen of Lorena; daughter, Maria Linda Shoesmith of New Braunfels; son, Michael Lee Keen and wife, Jeannine, of Hamburg, Germany; grandchildren, Eric Newton Shoesmith and wife, Ashley, of Leander, Texas and Julian Michael Keen of Hamburg, Germany; great-grandson, Caseton Miles Shoesmith of Leander, Texas; brother, Otis Keen of Virginia. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews; and his ever committed and loving dog, Gretchen.