James "Jim" Keenan

James Theodore Keenan, “Jim”, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side in Wheaton, Illinois on September 12, 2022, after a courageous six-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 64.

Born in Evergreen Park on April 15,1958, Jim was the beloved son of James Caroll and Helen Keenan (née Eddy). Jim and his four younger siblings grew up in Champaign, Illinois. 

Jim was a graduate of Champaign High School, class of 1976, where he played football for three years. He later attended Loyola University. He was a lifelong supporter of the Chicago Bears, even if they never returned the favor. Jim worked for AT&T for close to 20 years, retiring after his diagnosis in early 2016. 

Jim was an ever-jovial man who loved few things more than “putzing around,” particularly outdoors, where he delighted in gardening, making new friends, and petting dogs. He was fond of hunting and boating with close friends. When indoors, Jim could be found enjoying his tunes, perhaps with a glass of Cabernet. Most importantly, Jim was a gentle man, generous and compassionate, who cared far more to listen to others than he did to speak about himself. His charm and disarming sense of humor will be sorely missed. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Diane (née Johnston) and her children Thomas (Katie) Jordan and Christopher Jordan, her grandchildren Raelyn and Liv, his siblings Jean (Mac) McGuire, Suzanne (Frank) Mocker, Christine (Marty) Fagan & Patrick (Stefanie) Keenan and his nieces & nephews: Kelly, DJ, Kaitlyn, Anna, Lindsey Rae, Jessie, Keenan, & Liam.

He is predeceased by his parents, and his previous wife, who he cared for throughout her fight with cancer. 

A service will be held at Leonard Funeral Home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on Friday, September 30, 2022. Attendees may arrive beginning at 10 a.m. to gather and greet the family. The service will begin at 11:30 a.m. 

To honor Jim’s life, the family also requests that those reading this listen to Steely Dan and pet every dog they see today. II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Outreach Community Center in DuPage County.

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