Richard Ward Keener

Richard Ward Keener, 89, passed away on February 5, 2023 at Concordia Lutheran Home in Cabot, PA. Dick was a loving husband and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved kids and kids loved him. Dick was born March 29, 1933 to the late Raymond and Olive Keener. He was born and raised in Slate Lick, PA. He served in the Army, stationed in Alaska in the early 50’s and spent his career working as a Computer Engineer with several companies including RCA, Memorex and Telex Corporations. Dick and his wife, Janet, spent their married life raising six children in two chapters, one in Hebron, Connecticut for thirteen years and then many more years in Sarver, Pa. Dick loved sports and was involved in being part of both communities he lived in. He coached his sons in Little League, basketball and midget football in Hebron and then baseball in Freeport. In CT he planted the seeds of what is now the high school varsity football program. Dad and Mom Keener welcomed everyone to their home...and everyone was family. Everyone was welcome to stay overnight and everyone was always well fed! The kids in the area never forgot Coach Keener. When you saw someone in town they would always ask about “Rudy”. Dad loved coaching kids and always made practice fun. Dick loved and was an avid supporter of Pitt football. He and his brother Larry were season ticket holders for years. Time with his sons meant everything to him and he looked forward to his annual Pitt football weekend away with his boys and his brother. He loved the family rivalry between Pitt and Penn State, especially with his grandsons. As for his girls, there were no girls more special than his three daughters whom he adored and was always so proud of. He beamed when it came to the grandchildren and his great grandchildren. His daughters-in-law and sons-in-law were as important to him as his own children. In retirement Dick and Janet split time between homes in Pennsylvania and Florida for many years. They were married for 66 wonderful years while spending a lifetime active in their church. Dick’s faith and teaching Bible Study was near and dear to him. He shared his faith and took to heart teaching others what he knew to be true about his savior. To his grandchildren whom he taught the Bible he gave a saying to always think eternally. Dick was preceded in death by his wife Janet and his great grandson Mason. He is survived by his children: Donna (Greg) Kammerdeiner, Dan (Debbie) Keener, Randy (Marybeth) Keener, Calvin (Wende) Keener, Marcia (Tim) Keller and Paula (Keith) Motosicky. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Zach (Ann), Jesse (Heather), Kara (Chris), Curt, Craig, Jessica (Eric), Reid, Alec, Sean (Liz), Jackson (Ashley), Michelle, Levi, Josh, Jacob and Courtney (Brandon) as well as great grandchildren: Landyn, Rosalyn, Olivia, Madeline, Ayden, Owen, Oliver, Grace and Arthur. Dick is also survived by his brothers Larry, Keith and Bill (Judy) and brother-in-law Denny. He is preceded in death by sisters Janet (Scotty) Scott, Myrtle (Clyde) Friend, Marylou Bouch, Pidge (Skip)Turko and Eleanor Emery, his brother Don and sister-in-law Charlotte. Dick is also survived by his sister-in-law Vivian Roofner; He was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Robert (Agnes), Buster (Barb) and Carl Roofner; sisters-in-law Alice (James) Dezort, Emma (Roy) Smith, Maude (Harry) Anker and Vera White. Friends and family will be received on Thursday February 9, 2023 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm in the Redmond Funeral Home, 524 High St, Freeport, PA 16229. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Friday the 10th at 10 am with Rev. R. Cameron Malcom IV officiating. Burial will be in Lawn Haven Burial Estates in Worthington, PA

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