Duwayne W. Keith

Duwayne W. Keith, 84, 0f 1319 S. 8th St. in Pekin passed away at 1:29 pm Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Pekin Hospital. Duwayne was born October 27, 1923 in Fulton County near Havana, IL to Hermie and Neta (Hess) Keith. He married Marjorie Lee on July 30, 1949 in Canton, IL. She died on November 9, 2000. Preceding in death are his parents, wife and one step-daughter Marilyn Arnold. Surviving are: one sister, Arizona Cunningham of Carthage, IL; one step grandson, James Richard Arnold of Arkansas; two step great grandchildren; two brother in laws, Glen Casperand Richard (and Catherine) Casper both of Canton; two close friends, Mary Sanford and Alice Renner both of Pekin. Duwayne was a United States Marine Corps veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. During WWII he served in the Asiatic theater on Iwo Jima and Volcano Island. He attained the rank of Sergeant and received the Purple Heart with one gold star. Duwayne retired from Caterpillar, Inc. as a machinist in 1980 after 32 years. He was a life member of the Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the AMVETS. He loved to go fishing and camping.