Mary Keith

Mary C. Keith, Urbana, formerly of Philo, Illinois passed away at Meadowbrook, Clark – Lindsey, Urbana, on Monday, October 18, 2021 at 3:50 p.m.

Mary was born at home in rural Philo on December 10, 1930 the youngest of six daughters of Frank J. and Lottie (Johnson) Miller.  She is survived by sisters Jean McCormick of Philo and Reva Werts of Urbana.  She was preceded in death by sisters Rena O’Neil, Wanda Whitton and Juanita Brewer.

Mary had two children by her first marriage, Robert L. Beckett, Jr. of Tavares, Florida and J. Steven Beckett of Urbana.  She was preceded in death by two children, Mary Ella and Elizabeth Jean Beckett.

Mary married Dean Keith on November 10, 1957 in Covington, Indiana.  He preceded her in death on December 16, 2006.

Mary also leaves five grandchildren, Chad Beckett of Urbana, Illinois, Kelly Beckett-Ball of Madison, Wisconsin, Don Beckett of St. Joseph, Illinois, Andrew Beckett of McFarland, Wisconsin and Ryan Beckett of Winter Garden, Florida.  She also leaves eight great grandchildren, Calum Beckett, Aidan Beckett, Ellis John Beckett, Lucy Beckett-Ball, Coleton Beckett, John Robert Beckett-Ball, Daria Beckett and Desmond Beckett.

Mary worked in bookkeeping at W. Lewis & Company in Champaign, then at the Contracts Office at the University of Illinois.  She was the first bookstore manager for the new Parkland Community College.  Upon the death of her parents, she and Dean moved back to rural Philo where they farmed for many years, until retiring in 1998.  She lived at Windsor of Savoy and spent the last few years of her life at Meadowbrook, Clark Lindsey where she received wonderful, loving care.

Graveside services for immediate family will be held.  Memorials may be made in her name to Meadowbrook, Clark-Lindsey 101 W. Windsor Road, Urbana.  The family extends their appreciation to the Meadowbrook staff.

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