Freeport
Brian James Keith, 51, of Freeport, died Thursday, June 30, 2016, at FHN Memorial Hospital.
Born July 9, 1964 in Freeport he was the son of James and Darlene (Graff) Keith. He married Kristen Miller (his high school sweet heart) May 29, 1987.
Brian worked for Lena Builders for 25 years and then worked as a truck driver for Kempel Brothers Trucking in Lena to the present.
He attended Rock Valley College.
His memberships included St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and the Freeport Fraternal Order of Eagles.
An experienced outdoorsman he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and boating. He always placed his wife and sons first in his life. He loved bowling with his sons and working on home improvement projects with them. He also enjoyed working on his own yard and being outside in his free time. In his other free time he was a teacher to his sons on many aspects of life and home ownership.
Brian was an avid NASCAR and Jeff Gordon fan. He loved following all Chicago sports teams and attending many events with his family in recent years.
One of Brian's greatest days was the day he became a Grandpa. He embraced the roll as well as becoming the perfect babysitter.
Surviving are his wife, Kristen of Freeport; his mother, Darlene of Freeport; his sons, Kyle J. Keith and Matthew J. (fiancé Amanda Dodd) Keith both of Rockford; his grandson, James Keith of Rockford; his sisters, Kim M. Mariani of Freeport and Laurie A. (Rick) Ditsworth of Freeport; his mother in-law, Sharon Miller; his sister in-laws, Stephanie (George) Yarzak of Freeport, Lisa Duffield of Palatine, Dana (Dave) Underhill of Freeport; his brother-in-law, Craig (Pearl) Miller of Centreville, Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews; his beloved cat, Wrigley; his beloved dog, Micah; his grand dogs, Heisman, Fenway, Bristol and Shea.
He was preceded in death by his father; his father-in-law, Robert Miller and his brother-in-law, Barry Miller.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Burial will be in Grandview Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Walker Mortuary and 9:30 until time of service at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 6, 2016.
A memorial has been established for Freeport Humane Society.
Please leave a message in Brian's guestbook at www.walkermortuary.com.