Mrs. Gladys M. Keene, 90, of Galesburg, Illinois went to be with her Lord and Savior early Saturday morning, April 19, 2025.
Gladys was born August 18, 1934, in Galesburg, the daughter of Earl LeRoy and Huldha (Johnson) Arie. She was born at two and half pounds, her parents said she looked like a skinned squirrel at birth and fed her every hour with an eye dropper.
She graduated from Galesburg High School and attended Carl Sandburg College. Gladys met and married her soulmate, Kenneth C. Keene on August 2, 1952, in Abingdon and after 43 years of marriage he preceded her in death.
Left to cherish her memories is her children, Anna (Mark) Wingo of Galesburg, Mary (Charles) Hall of Altona, Illinois, formerly of Pittsboro, North Carolina and Kevin (Jill) Keene of California; six grandchildren, Julie Wingo Hutchison, Amy (David) Schudel, Lisa Wingo, Andrew (Sarah) Wingo, Katelyn Keene and Sgt. Sean (Reese) Keene and her grandson-in-law, Brian Hutchison; fifteen great grandchildren, Sierra Hutchison, William (fiancé Haley Strom) Hutchison, Nate Hutchison, Joey Schudel, Alex Schudel, Bella Schudel, Abby Schudel, Sam Schudel, Avienda Schudel, Kyrstin Jones, Cody Jones, Olivia Wingo, Adam Wingo, John Wingo and Elliot Wingo. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her two sisters, Blanche Addis and Jeannie Arie and her infant brother.
Gladys worked as an assembler for the former Admiral/Maytag Corporation from 1970-1996. She later worked for the Care Center of Abingdon, Steak n Shake and KarmelKorn. After retirement she found great pleasure in volunteering for the Cottage Hospital Gift Shop and The Orpheum Theatre. She also enjoyed dressing as Mrs. Clause during the Christmas season at the Sandburg Mall.
Gladys was a member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, past president of the Sincerity Lodge #6 and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary United Transportation Union.
Gladys was a faithful member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church.
“I shall pass through this world only once any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me not defer or neglect it. For I shall not pass this way again.”
Visitation is scheduled for 10:00-Noon, Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the Abingdon United Methodist Church. Services will begin at Noon at the church with Pastor Conner Morrison and her grandson, Pastor Andrew Wingo officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Abingdon Cemetery. Memorials may be offered to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, the Abingdon Historical Society or The Orpheum Theatre. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services are honored to assist her family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
