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Mrs. Sarah Frances Keck, widow of B. H. Keck, of Mt. Pulaski, Ill., a well-known and esteemed resident of the city most of her life, died at 10:35 p.m., Friday, March 18, 1960, in the St. Clara's Hospital, Lincoln. She had been a hospital patient four days, following a fall in her home at the corner of Jefferson and Vine Streets. She was aged 79 years, 9 months, and 24 days. Mrs. Keck passed away on her 58th wedding anniversary.

Her husband preceded her in death on June 10, 1954, in St. Clara's Hospital, Lincoln, where he had been a patient 20 days less than three years. It was the constant attention to him, and the hundreds of auto trips back and forth, that finally caused her health to fail. She was a hospital patient several times.

Sarah Frances Scroggin was born on a farm southwest of Mt. Pulaski, May 24, 1880, a daughter of Alfred C. and Frances Phillipe Scroggin. Her mother was from Champaign County, and her father was born in Mt. Pulaski township. Her parents retired from the farm in 1885, and moved into Mount Pulaski. Her father became interested in the business interests of the city and was one of the officers of the old Mt. Pulaski Mining Co.

Mrs. Keck attended the Mount Pulaski schools and, on Mar. 18, 1902, married B. H. Keck, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Keck, who lived in Sangamon county, between Lanesville and Mt. Pulaski. Following their marriage they farmed for several years, and then located in town, where Mr. Keck became engaged in the buying and shipping of horses, and being a widely-known auctioneer for 40 years. Mrs. Keck was always interested in the activities of her husband, who was prominent in civic activities as well as Sheriff of Logan County one term. Mrs. Keck lived in Lincoln from 1934 to 1938, during the time her husband was sheriff. Because of his years as an auctioneer he was known to almost everyone as Colonel Keck.

It is of interest to know that Mrs. Keck was a descendant of one of the first families to locate in the Mount Pulaski area, coming here before Mt. Pulaski was founded in the year 1836. Her father was the eldest child of L. K. and Levina Buckles Scroggin. Her grandfather was a well-known land owner and banker of Mount Pulaski. Decedent would have been a member of the Rebekah Lodge for 50 years next September. She was also a member of the Never-Grow-Old Society.

She is survived by one son, Robert S. of Mount Pulaski; one brother, Oran O. Scroggin of Mount Pulaski; two grandchildren, Robert K. Keck of Bloomington; and Mrs. Lee Taylor, Mount Pulaski; and four great grandchildren. There were three children in the Scroggin family, her sister, Nettie A., wife of Edward Birks, being the third.

To all of her friends and relatives, Mrs. Keck was affectionately known as "Fannie" from her school days to her death.

The body was removed to the Schahl Funeral Home, Mt. Pulaski, where funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Monday, March 21, conducted by Rev. John Muir, pastor of the First Methodist Church. Appropriate organ music was rendered by Mrs. Frank E. Turley of Decatur.

Interment was made in the Mount Pulaski Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Wilford K. Scroggin Sr., Austin W. Schaffenacker, Earl Holmes, Elmer Allspach, Wesley Scroggin, and Fred Holmes.

This page is " Obituary" on the Logan County, Illinois, ILGenWeb site. The address of this page is http://logan.illinoisgenweb.org/kecksarah.htm..