Lyle H. Keen, 94, of Wilton died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse.
He was born Jan. 2, 1917, to Rudolph and May (Sherburn) Keen in Leon. Lyle grew up in the Wilton area and attended the Black Valley Elementary School. As a young man, Lyle worked for the American Motors Company in Racine, building Nash autos. He later relocated to Janesville and worked for Slater Company, building stainless steel dairy equipment.
Lyle came back to the Wilton area to help care for his parents. He retired from the Sparta Foundry.
He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilton. Lyle enjoyed taking weekly road trips to the surrounding areas and enjoyed sharing stories of the places he had visited and the new things he had found. Most important to Lyle was his family. He had a generous and caring heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to his family and friends.
He is survived by three nephews, John Schindler of Kendall, Lyle (Betsy) Schindler of Hughes Springs, Texas, and David Schindler of Costa Mesa, Calif.; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, and great-great-great-nieces and great-great-great-nephews. He is further survived by many cousins, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Leona Schindler; two nieces-in-law, Janice Schindler and Mary Ann Schindler; and a nephew, Thomas Schindler.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 401 Mill St., Wilton. Pastor Jim L. Steinbrecher will officiate. Burial will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, 702 Center St., Wilton, and one hour prior to services Friday at the church.
Memorials may be given in Lyle’s memory to the St. Paul’s Church building fund. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
