Obituary of John F. Keck , 87

John F. “Jack” Keck, 87, of Port Matilda, formerly of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the Hearthside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, State College.

Born October 12, 1927, in Turtle Creek, he was the son of the late Frederic H. and Crystabel Lamberson Keck.

Jack is survived by his wife, Susan E. Guyon Keck; daughter, Barbara Chellman and her spouse, Alva, of Port Matilda; grandsons, Colin Chellman and his spouse, Michael; Davin Carr-Chellman and his spouse, Ali; great-grandchildren, Asher, Jules, and Aila Carr-Chellman; and one sister, Jean Pritchett of Imperial.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Reiter of California and brother-in-law, Don Pritchett of Imperial. Jack was a 1945 graduate of Turtle Creek High School, after which he served as a mechanic in the United States Army, stationed in Panama. There he developed his interest in all things mechanical which initiated a life devoted to collecting Jeeps, Ford tractors, antique cars, antique clocks and watch parts. Jack served as a past president of the Western Pennsylvania Antique Auto Club of America (AACA) and was a 60 year member of the Meyersdale Lodge No. 554, F & A M. He was a member of the Faith United Church of Christ in State College and a former member of the Madison United Methodist Church in Madison.

Using the GI Bill he graduated from the Western Pennsylvania Horological Institute of Pittsburgh and later established his own business, John F. Keck Watchmaker, near his home in Madison. Jack was ready with a quick smile for anyone who entered his watch, clock, and jewelry shop. He made his customers feel as if they were the only person in the room, and they rewarded him with decades of loyalty. A consummate tinkerer, clocks large and small are his legacy. For decades he maintained, following rebuilding, the clock in the clock tower located in Irwin, PA. Bolstered by a warehouse full of clock and watch parts collected over his lifetime, Jack could repair a tarnished family heirloom or an antique clock that hadn’t been touched for years. If he could not fix it, it could not be fixed.

A generous but quiet husband, father, and grandfather, his presence in the family was large. With his passing, he leaves an equally large gap.

A Memorial service will be held Monday, March 9, 2015 at the Faith United Church of Christ, 300 East College Avenue, State College with the Reverend Monica Dawkins-Smith officiating, visitation beginning at 1:30 PM and service at 3:00 PM, followed by a luncheon served at Faith United Church of Christ, Romig Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith United Church of Christ, 300 East College Avenue, State College, PA 16801.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or on Facebook.