Elsie Jane Ning O'Keefe

“Ning”

On Sunday, August 4th at 11:45 PM. our Ningie got her wings and left us. Since April she has resided at Stone Mountain Estates in Atlanta, GA with her husband Robert, and near her youngest daughter.

Ning was born February 18, 1922 in Santa Barbara, California the daughter of William Converse Staley and Jennie Barnes Staley. She married Robert Vernon O’Keefe January 1, 1944 after dating him since eighth grade.

Ning was fifth generation of the Converse family to be baptized in Central Baptist Church. According to her brother William Staley, Jr., Ning never missed Sunday School for seventeen years. She was a member of Rev. Adam Baum’s Building Committee for many years, culminating in the construction of the church at Fourth and Jackson. Her strong influence helped to insure the new church would face Fourth Street.

Ning loved her hometown of Springfield and was an active member of the community. She was president of the Springfield Art Association, the Land of Lincoln Girl Scouts and twice president of the Junior League of Springfield. Ning was also active on the Board of Travelers Aid, and during World War II volunteered for the Red Cross. She was a member of P.E. O., and the Mary H. Blackstock Circle of Kings Daughters.

Those who knew her well knew that she was very competitive and loved to play golf. In 1944 she was Illini Country Club’s Women’s Eighteen Hole Golf Champion. Ning continued to play golf competitively most of her adult life. She also loved tennis, bowling, and paddle tennis.

Our Ningie is survived by her loving husband, Robert Vernon O’Keefe, and four daughters: Dianne (husband David Simpson), Jennifer Anderson, Pamela (husband Richard Franks) and Niana (husband Stephen Hill). She has nine grandchildren and two great grandsons.

We send our love, Ningie, and will deeply miss you.

Memorial Services will be held at Central Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 13. Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30. Services: 10:30 to 11:30. The family has requested memorial donations be sent to Central Baptist Church. Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements (www.boardman-smith.net).