John K. Keach, Sr.

John Kessler Keach, Sr., 84, of Columbus, Indiana, passed away on April 9, 2012. John was born to Glenn and Lucile Kessler Keach on July 7, 1927, in Seymour, Indiana, and attended Shields High School (class of 1945) before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He attended Butler University (class of 1950) where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. On January 21, 1950, John married Elaine (Kilcline) Keach. In 1951, they moved from Seymour, Indiana, and settled in Columbus, Indiana, where John was instrumental in the development of the Columbus branch of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. After 47 years, he retired from the Home Federal Bancorp (now Indiana Bank & Trust Company) having held positions of Teller, Branch Manager, President, CEO, Chairman of the Board & Chairman Emeritus. John also had held various positions in the Indiana League of Savings Institutions, Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and Family Financial Life Insurance Company. He valued the opportunity to participate in the development and growth of Bartholomew County and the surrounding areas by serving and leading various local organizations. He was a member of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and received the Junior Chambers' coveted Distinguished Service Award in 1960 and the Chamber's Annual Community Service Award in 1969. One of John's most significant contributions to the community was his service as a Trustee and President of the Bartholomew County Library during the planning and construction of the Cleo Rogers Memorial County Library in the late 1960's. Other organizations that John served were Bartholomew County United Way, Columbus Economic Development Board, St. Columba Catholic Church Council, Columbus Elks Lodge #521, Columbus American Legion Post #24, Knights of Columbus, and Optimist Club of Columbus. He was also a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. John, as well, served on the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association for Butler University and was a member of the Indianapolis Alumni Chapter of Sigma Chi. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elaine (Kilcline) Keach; daughter, Helene Robinson (David) of Houston, TX; sons, John K. Keach, Jr. (Nan) of Columbus, IN, David M. Keach (Jill) of St. Louis, MO, and Gregory S. Keach (Sybil) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Elaine Robinson, Kate Green (Andy), Julie Kerrigan (Brendan), JK Keach, Michael Keach (Lauren), Megan Keach, Emily Kunkel (Bob), and Sarah Baucom (Ryan); great-grandchildren, Austin Neff, Kylie Neff, Andrew Keach, Evelyn Keach, Rocco Cufone III and Agnes Green; and a sister, Kathe Caplinger. John Keach was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn M. & Lucile Kessler Keach, and his sisters Carolyn Zeller and Rosemary Hutchison. John loved spending time with his family and friends, playing golf at Harrison Lake Country Club and visiting Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. John's community and family will miss him dearly. VISITATION: 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday April 11, 2012 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 1306 27th St. Columbus, IN 47201 FUNERAL MASS: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday April 12, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Father Clem Davis officiating. BURIAL: Garland Brook Cemetery. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of South Central Indiana or St. Bartholomew Catholic Church through the funeral home.

John K. Keach, Sr.

July 7, 1927 - April 11, 2012