Final Salute

John C. Keil

07/05/1927 – 07/26/2021

Jack Keil, aged 94, of Sylvania, Ohio, peacefully passed from this life, on July 25, 2021 while at home and with loved ones by his side.

Born on July 5, 1927, and the middle of three sons to Clarence and Margaret (Leona) Keil, Jack attended Macomber Vocational School and DeVilbiss High School before enlisting at the age of 17 in the United States Navy shortly after graduation. During World War II, Jack served as a SeaBee in the Navy’s Construction Battalion in the Pacific Theatre, primarily Okinawa. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jack attended college, graduating from Bowling Green State University with a degree in business administration. He was a proud follower of his Bowling Green Falcon sports teams despite five of his seven children being alumni of cross-county rival, University of Toledo. Jack started his professional career with the Owens Illinois Company with stints in Toledo and then, Kansas City. But Toledo was his home, and he came back to family and friends to spend many years with NCR (the National Cash Register Company). Jack spent the final years of his career as sales manager with the Toledo Ticket Company.

At the age of 28, Jack married the love of his life, Mary Teresa Sack, of Adrian, Michigan. It proved quite ironic that Jack, a staunch Ohio State Buckeye fan, married into a Michigan family with loyalty ties to the Wolverines. The marriage took place on Saturday, November 19, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Adrian, while the Buckeyes were in the process of securing a 17-0 victory over the Wolverines. Jack’s hard and fast support of the Detroit Tigers and Lions provided family balance to the Ohio-Michigan rivalry. Jack maintained a passion for, and excelled at, contract bridge, continuing to study and play the game well into his nineties. Jack was also an accomplished golfer as demonstrated by the two holes-in-one he had to his credit.

A good man, a better father and a great husband, Jack leaves behind his loving wife of more than 65 years, Mary Teresa; seven children – Mark (Susie), John (Lois), Steven (Tammy), Anne, Mary Beth King (Randy), Matthew (Joanna), and Christopher; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; older brother, Jim; and sister-in-law, Sharon. Jack lived a long and rewarding life and was loved by all. He now joins the many loved ones who have passed before him, including parents, Leona and Clarence; brother, Jerry; brother-in-law, Joseph Sack; sister-in-law, Jane Keil; and niece, Beth Sack.

A long-serving and faithful parishioner of Christ the King Church, Jack spent many years as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and ushering the faithful to their seats for Sunday morning mass. Jack also donated many hours of his time in support of St. Anne’s Hospital. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, August 2nd, between 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, August 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 4100 Harvest Ln, Toledo, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any charitable contributions be directed to Heartbeat of Toledo.

To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published by The Blade from Jul. 29 to Aug. 1, 2021.