+ KEIL, Deborah. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Obituary for Richard Dean Keil
Richard Dean Keil died of natural causes on June 11, 2024. He was age 103 years and 4
days young.
Richard was born in 1921 in Haileyville, Oklahoma, a town of approximately 800 people, to
Albert Keil and Florence Easton. He lived on a farm with his two brothers, two sisters, four
horses and parents. He rode his horse to school and learned to hunt at an early age,
acquiring a lifetime love of the outdoors.
At age 14, Richard and his family moved to North Tonawanda where he spent the rest of his
life. He initially attended a one-room schoolhouse on Niagara Falls Blvd. He graduated with
honors from N. Tonawanda High School and received an American Legion leadership
award.
Following high school, Richard enlisted in the US Army where he served for one year.
Subsequently, World War II expanded and Richard’s life as a civilian was interrupted. He
was drafted by the US Army for a second term of about three years. He was assigned to the
US 8th Airforce, European theater, based in England. He was a B-29 bomber crew chief.
Richard also had musical talents the Army recognized, and they enlisted him as a tuba
player who also played strings in the Army’s dance band. Harmonica was another of his
favorite instruments.
After the war, Richard married Jane Ewald, and they raised a family. Richard earned a
bachelor’s degree in education from University of Buffalo. He taught school in Cato, NY
briefly before returning to N. Tonawanda and joining Bell Aerospace in 1950 where he spent
the rest of his career in contracts management. He is proud to have worked on the
Minuteman missile and other notable projects.
Richard had many interests and hobbies, including hunting, fishing, camping, business
news and personal investing. He never met a garage sale he didn’t like. He held leadership
responsibilities in his local church and the Chautauqua Institute Disciples of Christ
Richard earned media attention as a centenarian and WWII veteran. He participated in two
Honor Flights to Washington, DC. He frequently spoke to students and veteran groups
about his life experiences. He acquired many new friends later in life who met regularly for
coffee and conversation at Tim Hortons.
Richard’s wife, Jane, and his four siblings predeceased him. He is survived by his four
children: Douglas Keil (Beverly); Deborah Cramer (David); David Keil (Karen); and Dena
Lupke (late Robert); ten grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Richard lived independently through his advanced age in part because of the excellent care
he received over many years from the VA Hospital of Buffalo. He also enjoyed a network of
neighbors and good friends who were there when he needed them.
Visitation will be on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Wattengel Funeral Home, 533
Meadow Drive, N. Tonawanda, NY. Services will follow at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers,
donations are appreciated to: American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, P.0. Box 122,
Tonawanda, NY 14150.

Richard + EWALD, Jane. Jane (daughter of EWALD, Gustave Adolph Johann and HARMS, Minnie Mary) was born on 30 Dec 1926; died on 30 Dec 2022 in North Tonawanda, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jane Ewald Keil, of N. Tonawanda. Passed away on her 96th birthday December 30. Survived by beloved husband, Richard Dean Keil, children Douglas Keil (Beverly), Deborah Cramer (Dave), David Keil (Karen) and Dena (late Robert) Lupke, plus ten grandchildren. Jane was an accomplished pianist, organist and painter who enjoyed life-long learning. After raising her children, she enrolled in Niagara Community College and spent many summers at Chautauqua Institute attending lectures on visual and literary arts, religion, and philosophy. Viewing for friends and family at Wattengel Funeral Home, 533 Meadow Dr, N. Tonawanda on January 5th at 5 pm to 7 pm immediately followed by service.

Albert married EASTON, Florence Louise on 14 Aug 1913 in Town of Lewiston, Niagara County, NY. Florence (daughter of EASTON, William and Mary) was born on 10 Nov 1882 in Churchville, Monroe County, NY; died on 25 Jun 1955 in North Tonawanda, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NORTH TONAWANDA Gustav A. Ewald, of 441 Robinson St., died Tuesday (Aug. 26, 1975) in DeGraff Memorial Hospital following a short illness.
He was a lifelong resident of this city. Mr. Ewald, 86, was employed by Remington Rand Office Systems Division of Sperry Rand Corp. as a supervisor of the tool and dye department for 54 years, retiring in 1961.
He was a member of St. Peter American Lutheran Church, having served on the church council for 25 years. He was also a member of the North Tonawanda Senior Citizens.
He was the husband of the late Minnie M. (Harms) Ewald, who died in 1958.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. William (Ruth) Stange of the Town of Wheatfield and Mrs. Richard (Jane) Keil of this city; a son; Glenwood G. Ewald of Blue Bell, Pa.; two brothers, the Rev. Alfred Ewald, doctor of divinity of St. Paul, MN, and the Rev. Carl Duwe of Richmond Heights, OH; two sisters, Mrs. Elma Marlow and Mrs. Virgil Ragsdale, both of Detroit, Mich.; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Paul American Lutheran Church, Bryant and Thompson Streets. The Rev. Luther Lautenschlager will officiate. Burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery.
Friends may call today and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wattengel Funeral Home, 307 Oliver St.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter American Lutheran Church memorial fund, the family said.

Gustave + HARMS, Minnie Mary. Minnie (daughter of HARMS, August Friedrich Wilhelm and WITTKOPF, Maria A) was born on 20 Jun 1892 in North Tonawanda, Niagara County, NY; died on 29 Apr 1958 in North Tonawanda, Niagara County, NY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]