Final Salute

John T. “Tom” Keene, age 78, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 10:44 a.m., in his home, Pinckneyville, IL.

Tom was born on November 27, 1944, in Kansas City, MO, a son to Elmer and Nell (Walker) Keene. He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Tom could always recall in vivid detail his three tours in Vietnam as a SeaBee. He was a longtime farmer and belonged to the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL. Tom attended Beaucoup Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL, enjoyed going to the American Thresherman Association and was a fixture at Dixie’s Cup Café, Pinckneyville, IL and the Pinckneyville Antique Mall. He was an avid reader and also had a great knowledge of Pinckneyville and Perry County history. In the past years, Tom greatly enjoyed trips out west, canoeing and fishing with dear friends. He never met a stranger and will be missed by all who knew him. Tom often said that he didn’t understand how people could get up and face the day without believing in God Almighty.

Survivors include a close cousin, Max Keene and special friends, Ron and Sherry Ridgeway, and Clint and Ashley Ridgeway and their children, Chevy and Maylee, all of Pinckneyville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Martha Hathaway.

Tom’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.