Elmer Raymond Pat Keith Obituary (1934 - 2010)

Elmer Raymond "Pat" Keith, 76, of Pontiac, died at 12:33 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, at his residence. His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, the Deacon Michael An officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service. Burial will be in Sunny Slope Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday, both at the funeral home. He was born March 25, 1937, at home in Pontiac, the son of Elmer and Louise (Williams) Keith. He married Patricia (Hall) Keith June 6, 1954, at Braidwood. She survives at Pontiac. Also surviving are four sons, Thomas and Cheryl Keith, Chatsworth, James and Rose Keith, Pontiac, Terry and Nancy Keith, Minonk, Alan and Denise Keith, Tulsa, Okla.; one brother, James L. Keith, Pensacola, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Aaron, Cindy, Jenny, Ben, Mandy, Granger, Daina, Breezy and Kaila; and three grandchildren, Jaydyn, Inara and Joseph, and another on the way. Mr. Keith was preceded in death by his parents. He attended Pontiac Township High School. Mr. Keith was employed as a welder for five years at Caterpillar, was a printer for 39 years at Morton Printing Company and RR Donnelly, was a pet store proprietor of P&P Aquarists for 18 years and was a school bus driver for 31 years for the Pontiac School Districts. He served as alderman for eight years on the Pontiac City Council. Mr. Keith was a Trolley driver for four years for Pontiac Tourism and portrayed Santa Claus for 16 years in central Illinois. He served as president of the PTA, worked with scouting for the Boy Scouts of America, was a coach and umpire for the Little League and played on a bowling league. He was a member of the Elks Lodge Toast Masters, Tri-County Tropical Fish Club, C.A.F.E. Fish Club, Tri-County Selective Service Board, Pontiac Chamber of Commerce, Pontiac Tourism Board and Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP). The family suggests memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. IN MEMORIUM - PAT KEITH Elmer Raymond "Pat" Keith departed this life on Tuesday, 9/14/2010. All his life he lived in this great little town of Pontiac, IL. He was born in the same house he would later call home. He never graduated from high school but he became a great teacher of life. In his youth, he rode a Harley; after he married, he drove a station wagon; through his middle years, he shuttled children on a school bus; and in his old age he unlocked history of Pontiac and Route 66 on a trolley. Early on, Pat welded Cat tractors. He later set type for Morton Printing and remained a printer even through the change of signs on the building. He coached little league, led Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, instructed Scout Leaders, camped and boated along the Illinois River, contributed on city council, participated in PTA, volunteered at Retired Seniors Volunteer Program & at Children's Discovery Museum, transported troubled children, portrayed Santa Clause, ambassador-ed for City of Pontiac, headed tri-county draft board, received President's recognition for volunteerism, recovered snakes from people's homes, retold Pontiac's rich history, advised pet-lovers on care, and befriended strangers. He partnered in P&P Aquarists pet shop and in life with his soul mate, Patty. Emphysema finally overtook him. He never achieved wealth or fame, but he was rich in life.