David Joseph Keyes

David J. Keyes, 64, went with God on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 after a 13 year fight with leiomyosarcoma. His wife, family, friends, colleagues and fans across the globe surrounded him with love along the way. Dave was an accomplished musician (bass, vocals and guitar), recording artist and passionate low handicap golfer. He would often sneak his clubs onto the tour bus in a gig bag, so he could play golf all over the world. He was best known for his gentle soul, winning smile, charming demeanor, determination, quick wit and - well, OK - a spot of stubborn. He was an adventurer with the courage to chase his dreams and worked hard to make them become a reality. Throughout his disease, Dave’s selflessness shone. He was always available to assist and counsel others facing the Big “C” diagnosis.

Dave was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois with 8 brothers and sisters, where he met and married his wife Marilyn Shellenbaum who would be his best friend for decades. Dave avidly pursued his musical passion, practicing endlessly and performing with various groups including Chops, The Burnetts, Central Illinois Jazz Society, Jhaptal, Jimmy Binkley, Ed Kaizer. Encouraged by many, including Dave Brubeck to pursue music on the big stage, Dave and Marilyn moved to New Jersey where he performed with Bucky & John Pizzarelli, Killer Joe, The Kevin Osbourne Band, Rick Oberson, Early Warning and many others. He toured globally, recording with Annie Haslam and Renaissance performing on progressive rock stages including The Quebec Music Festival, Yestival and Cruise to the Edge. He also recorded and performed with Willy DeVille on major European and Scandinavian festival stages including the Montreux Jazz Festival. When he could no longer perform professionally, he and Marilyn continued to make beautiful music together as “BluesFolk” performing American root music at various local haunts.

Dave and Marilyn left behind their snow shovels, moved to Sarasota, Florida and joined Palm Aire Golf Club last year to enjoy the sunshine.

They look back on these years with the fortune of having many deep friendships to share the joys, the sorrows and the ordinary days of life. It was a good life. He will be greatly missed. He’s off to his next adventure.

He is survived by his wife, and brothers, Dan (Tara) Keyes, Bill Keyes, Mike (Kathy) Keyes, Kevin Keyes, Tim Keyes, Peoria Heights, Chris Keyes, and sisters, Lynne Keyes, and Mary (Don) Adams, along with 13 loving and adoring nieces nephews and their families. His legacy will live on in them.

A funeral mass will be at St. Mark Catholic Church in Peoria at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 10, 2019. Graveside services will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Peoria. A celebration of life will follow at the Knights of Columbus, Peoria from 3:00-8:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Dave’s life will be held in New Jersey on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church 113 Engle St, Englewood, NJ 07631.

There will also be a reception at Palm Aire Golf Club in Sarasota on July 27 from 2:00 – 4:00pm.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to MUSIC HEALS: The David J. Keyes Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box #332, Tallevast, FL 34270