James Wilson Keistler

Jim was born November 22, 1943, in West Frankfort, Illinois, to George Glenn and Louise (Lewis) Keistler. The family later moved to Cairo, where his father owned Keistler Shoe Shop. Jim graduated from Cairo High School in 1961 and earned a degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1965.

Grain found him early and never let go. He began his career with Bunge Corporation in Cairo and moved with the company to St. Louis, where he traded on the floor of the Merchants' Exchange — and where he met the love of his life, Mary Kathleen Crow. He went on to Chicago, where he held a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade and traded in the pits. Jim and Mary married on April 26, 1974, in Chicago, and later that year moved to Monmouth, where they would raise their family.

In Monmouth, Jim began what became a distinguished career, joining the Twomey Company of Smithshire, Illinois, as merchandising manager — a post he would hold for nearly forty years. When CGB Enterprises acquired Twomey in 2011, he stayed on, retiring after more than four decades in Smithshire. Jim was held in high regard throughout the grain trade for his leadership, expertise, and dedication to ethical practices in the industry. He served nearly two decades on the National Grain and Feed Association's Trade Rules Committee, much of it as chairman, and played an important role in the rewrite of the association's trade rules book. He was honored by his industry for that service and for his years of work in its arbitration system. Jim valued the relationships he built over a lifetime in the business as much as the work itself.

An outdoorsman from boyhood, raised to it by his father and brothers, he loved to hunt and fish, and pheasant season was a particular favorite. He was a cyclist, riding RAGBRAI and Ride the Rockies, and he enjoyed traveling wherever adventure led. He gave freely to his community and served many years as a Scoutmaster, work for which he received regional recognition.

Family was the center of Jim's life. He treasured time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, taking genuine pride in their lives and accomplishments. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and devoted follower of Notre Dame football, he loved traveling to games with his family. He was quick with numbers and quicker with a joke. He liked nothing better than gathering family and friends on his back deck, smoking ribs and whatever else was on hand, and serving his own barbecue sauce. He loved good food, dad jokes, and, most of all, time with the people he loved. His warmth, generosity, humor, and willingness to help anyone in need left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Jim is survived by his children, Krystal Keistler of Madisonville, Kentucky; Marissa Keistler (Patrick Dunbar) of Pekin, Illinois; Kathleen (Johnathan) Ayler of Bartonville, Illinois; and Christopher (Laura) Keistler of Kansas City, Missouri; his grandchildren, CJ Keistler, Aaron Underwood, Jacob Underwood, Jonathan Underwood, Joshua Underwood, Jadon Underwood, Ashton Ayler, Aidan Ayler, Avery Ayler, Acen Ayler, and Harrison Keistler; his great-grandchildren, Carter Keistler, Bentleigh Keistler, and Preslie Fisher; and his brothers, George Keistler of Memphis, Tennessee; Charles (Angela) Keistler of Pensacola, Florida; and Robert Keistler of Salem, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary Kathleen; his parents, George Glenn and Louise; and his sister, Imogene Ruediger. James Wilson Keistler, 82, of Bellevue, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the American Legion Post 136, located at 1110 N 11th St. Monmouth, IL 61462.