A Mass of Christian Burial for Francis L. Keating, Jr., 72, of Junction City will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 30, 2009 at St. Xavier Catholic Church with Father Al Brungardt officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday evening at the church from 6-8 p.m. with a 7:30 vigil service. Mr. Keating passed away at Salina Regional Medical Center on April 25, 2009. Memorial contributions may be given to the St. Xavier Catholic Church, P.O. Box 399, Junction City, KS 66441 or to the St. Xavier Respect Life Memorial, P.O. Box 399, Junction City, KS 66441.
Mr. Keating was born July 25,1936, Chapman, KS to Francis L. and Vera M. (Jennings) Keating, Sr. He received his teaching degree from Emporia Teacher's College. He married Marcena Hollerich May 24, 1960, Tipton, KS.
Mr. Keating worked in the car sales industry. He worked for Don Coates Chevrolet for many years before it became Jim Clark Chevrolet. He had been employed at Jim Clark's for over 25 years in different positions most recently as their shuttle driver. He was a member of the St. Xavier Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Eagles.
He is survived by his wife Marcena of Junction City, KS, three sons; Jeff and wife Joan Keating of Milford, KS, Jim and wife Michelle Keating of Wakefield, KS, John and wife Kaylyn of Junction City, KS, two daughters; Judy and husband Mark Allen of Wakefield, KS and Jacki and husband Shawn Diederich of Topeka, KS and fourteen grandchildren, Heather Allen, Bill Allen and Taylor Allen, Becky Keating,Lene Keating, Kim Keating, Joshua Keating, Jacob Keating, Adam Keating and Brooklyn Keating, Greg Charland, Lisa McLaughlin, Bailey Charland and Hunter Diederich.
He was preceded in death by his parents
Pallbearers will be Bill Allen, Adam Keating, Greg Charland, Chris Hulett, Gerald Woydziak and Greg Robinett.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Earl Hayter, Al Jackson, Jerry Carroll, Larry Dietrich, Duane Langvardt, Roger Garrison, Joshua Keating, Jacob Keating, Jim Clark and Hunter Diederich.