He was born July 30, 1935 in Jerseyville, IL to Carl and Marie (Beach) Keehner. They preceded him in death.
Jim is survived by his loving family, including his three daughters, Julie (Andrew) Katz of Swansea, IL, Jana (Earl) Wohlrab of Maryville, IL, and Lisa Guldner of Belleville, IL; granddaughters, Amanda (Garrett) Fischer of Caseyville, IL, Kelsey (Jon) Hansen of O’Fallon, IL, Lindsey (Ross) Puent of Shiloh, IL, Alexandria (Nick Baldoni) Wohlrab of Austin, TX, Jorden (Derek) Sherman of Centralia, IL and Jessica Guldner of Belleville, IL; great-grandchildren, Sloane, Ainsley, Gage, Brylan, Jay, Ellery and Wes.
Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1957 and in 1959, earned his Doctor of Law Degree, both from the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL.
He was a private practice attorney in Belleville, IL, beginning his career in 1960. He was a former Assistant Attorney General, State of Illinois, Chief of the Southern Region of the Environmental Control Division from 1969-1971 and the Chief of East St. Louis Office from 1971-1985.
He was honored to receive numerous awards, honors and held various positions throughout his life, including: Recipient of Distinguished Service Award for Belleville in 1969, Scott Air Force Base Distinguished Citizen Award in 1979; Appointed by Governor Thompson to Illinois Mississippi Parkway Commission in 1980; Past Chairman of the Environmental Control Section of Illinois State Bar Association; Member of the Board of Directors of Children First Foundation, since it was established by Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court in 1988; Teacher of Belleville Area College course - Legal Secretarial Seminar from 1977 to 1995; President of the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce from 1977 to 1978;
Member and Past Chairman of Belleville-Fairview Heights Board of Directors for Junior Achievement program for Belleville High Schools from 1978 to 1987.
He was also a member of the Belleville Elks Club, the Belleville Economic Progress and the Terre Du Lac Country Club.
Above all of his accomplishments throughout his life, Jim had a heart for serving others. His generosity, kindness and love for his family and friends will be truly cherished and remembered forever.
A visitation for Jim will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, IL.
A funeral service will be held following the visitation, beginning at 12:00 P.M. at the funeral home. A private family graveside will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Covenant House Missouri or to the Belleville Humane Society, both organizations that were close to Jim’s heart.
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