Robert J Kealey

May 15, 1919 - Apr 13, 2009

PAXTON SMS Robert J Kealey, Ret. USAF, 89, Rantoul, joined his wife in heaven on Monday afternoon (April 13, 2009) at Heartland Health Care, Paxton. A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday Robert at St. Kealey Malachy Robert Kealey Catholic Church, Rantoul. Father S. Stephen Engelbrecht will officiate. A graveside service for the ashes of he and his wife will be at a later date. There will be a visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. the morning of the service at Lux Memorial Chapel, Rantoul. Memorials may be made to Rantoul VFW and the Knights of Columbus.

Bob was born May 15, 1919, in Kalamazoo, Mich., a son of Joseph and Anna Early Kealey.

He married Nellie Custer on Dec. 25, 1942, in Amarillo, Texas. She preceded him in death on Sept. 14, 2008.

He is survived by four children, Patrick Kealey, Woodstock; James Michael (Kathy) Kealey Sr., Alameda, Calif.; Mary (David) Shanahan, LeRoy; and Katie (Joe) Daugherty, Gifford; a brother, Frank (Nancy) Kealey, Warsaw, Ind.; nine grandchildren, Sean, Erik, Jessie, Allie, Tony, Savi, Brad, Chelsea and Janelle; and two greatgrandchildren, Justine and Alex.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jim; and a grandson, James Michael Jr.

Bob served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and was a World War II veteran. He served in Civil Service at Chanute Air Force Base as an instructor and retired as a supervisor. He was a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church. He enjoyed traveling and fishing. He was a member of the Rantoul VFW, the Rantoul American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at Heartland Healthcare for the comfort provided in Bob's final days.

Sources: Ancestry.com, Legacy.com and FindAGrave.com

05/28/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68318032/robert_j-kealey