John "Jack" Byron Keil

EAST PEORIA - John “Jack” Byron Keil, 92, of East Peoria passed away on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 9:45 a.m. at ManorCare at Riverview in East Peoria. Jack was born January 30, 1920, in East Peoria at 208 N. Main Street to Clarence Edward and Eliza Jane Harvey Keil. The Keil home was in East Peoria Heights, currently the Pekin Ave. area, and his mother could not take a chance the doctor would make it up the hill for her January baby. Jack has lived in East Peoria for 92 years. He married Erma June Slager on January 9, 1943 in East Peoria. Jack is survived by his wife of 69 years; one son, John Kevin (Mary) Keil of East Peoria; three grandchildren, Adam Daniel (Jillian) Keil of Monmouth, IL. Alexander Owen (Adrienne) Keil of Chicago, IL, and Andrew Russell Keil of East Peoria, IL; and several nieces, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Emma Mae Pierson and Beulah Bell Biggs; two brothers, Clarence Edward Keil and Howard Harvey Keil; and one son, Edward Byron Keil. During World War II, Jack served in the Army Air Corp and was the Flight Engineer for 24 missions on B-29 Bombers that flew out of Guam and Iwo Jima over Japan. The first plane was ‘Boeings Boner’ which had a habit of burning up the #3 engine. For some reason, Air force archives seem to refer to this plane as ‘Boeings Bonner’. They then flew the ‘City of Hollywood’ for the duration. He was over Tokyo when he saw the mushroom cloud sprout from Hiroshima on August 8, 1945. What Command had said was to “watch for a change in the weather.” His last 4 flights were mercy missions dropping supplies to into POW camps after the cessation of hostilities. His crew flew their plane in the power show over Tokyo Bay while the World War II peace treaty was being signed on the battleship Missouri. Each member of his flight crew was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross “for heroic achievement while participating in aerial flight” for proceeding to the target in Nagoya and dropping their bombs with only 3 engines on June 9, 1945. After the war, Jack returned to the Central Illinois Light Company. He worked in the line department progressing to Superintendent of Electrical Maintenance. Jack retired in 1982 from CILCO , now Ameren, after 42 years of service. Upon his retirement he was Superintendent of Electric Meter Services. Jack spent 35 years on the CILCO Credit Union Board, currently part of Members Choice Credit Union, serving many years as its Treasurer. He also served on the Tri-County Planning Regional Planning Commission. Jack enjoyed golfing, fly-fishing and driving his Cadillac. Jack was a member of First United Methodist Church in East Peoria where a memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, May 5, 2012 . Pastor Mary Arnold will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded. Burial of cremated remains will be in Fondulac Cemetery. Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria will be handling arrangements.

John "Jack" Byron Keil

January 30, 1920 - April 30, 2012