Curtis Keeler
Curtis Keeler, 90, departed this earth on December 14, 2014, to be with his family and friends in heaven. He was born and raised in Bethany, Conn., and had a keen interest in flying. He was permitted to fly solo for the first time on his 16th birthday.
Curt entered service during World War II as a teenager, with the sole purpose of flying the P-40 Warhawk. This was accomplished at Aloe Field in Victoria, Texas, immediately following his commissioning as a 2nd lieutenant and the award of his Wings on August 4, 1944.
Curt subsequently became a P-51 Mustang pilot and flew this aircraft in both the Pacific Theater and the Korean War. He later served as Commanding Officer of Air Defense Installations for eight years in Spain and St. Albans, Vt., where he retired on May 31, 1965.
<a href="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-8598" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2-150x150.jpg" alt="flag-in-color" width="150" height="150" /></a>Curt married his wife Pat in Chicago on Jan. 5, 1949. They had four children: Jill was born at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Miss.; Craig at Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Fla.; Jeffrey in Barcelona, Spain; and Scott in St. Albans.
In January 1966 Curt joined United Airlines and secured his Flight Engineer certificate on the DC-8 aircraft. He subsequently was hired for the pilot-training department for Eastern Airlines in Miami, Fla. He secured his ATP Ratings (Captain) in both the DC-8 and the DC-9 during his tenure with Eastern.
After retiring from Eastern in 1987, Pat and Curt chose to live the leisure life in Sun City Center, Fla., where they both became very active in volunteering for many community services. Curt was active with South Bay Hospital, the fitness center, the Security Patrol, the Men’s Club, the Military Officers Association of America and more.
He will be joining his loving wife Pat in heaven, where they can be reunited again for eternity.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at Mansion Memorial Park, 1400 36th Ave. East in Ellenton, Fla.
<h3><b><a href="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/Father-of-the-Bride2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-8600" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/Father-of-the-Bride2-150x150.jpg" alt="Father-of-the-Bride2" width="150" height="150" /></a>William F. Rieger</b></h3>
William F. Rieger, 83, of Sun City Center, Fla., went to be with the Lord on December 11, 2014. He was born in Royersford, Pa.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy H. Rieger; daughter Sharon R. Winterton, wife of Scott M. Winterton, New Port Richey, Fla.; grandson Stephen, Palm Harbor, Fla.; and granddaughter Sarah of New Port Richey. He is also survived by sisters Dorothy Moorehead and Hazel Giera of Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews.
<a href="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-8598" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2-150x150.jpg" alt="flag-in-color" width="150" height="150" /></a>He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sun City Center; a member of American Legion Post 246; a member of DAV, Chapter 110; and VFW 7155.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Valley Forge Road, Sun City Center, FL 33573.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the Ballroom of Aston Gardens, 1311 Aston Gardens Court in Sun City Center. Pastor David Allman will officiate.
<b>Thank you</b>
<i>I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all who sent their heartfelt condolences to me after the passing of my son Mathew. The many cards were </i><i>received from friends, neighbors and family alike. </i>
<i>I especially appreciate those of you who took the time to attend Mathew’s memorial service and those who </i><i>showed their sympathy with meaningful words and hugs. </i>
<i>Again, thank you all.
</i><i>Sincerely,
</i><i>Faye McKeown.</i>
</div>
Curt entered service during World War II as a teenager, with the sole purpose of flying the P-40 Warhawk. This was accomplished at Aloe Field in Victoria, Texas, immediately following his commissioning as a 2nd lieutenant and the award of his Wings on August 4, 1944.
Curt subsequently became a P-51 Mustang pilot and flew this aircraft in both the Pacific Theater and the Korean War. He later served as Commanding Officer of Air Defense Installations for eight years in Spain and St. Albans, Vt., where he retired on May 31, 1965.
<a href="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-8598" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2-150x150.jpg" alt="flag-in-color" width="150" height="150" /></a>Curt married his wife Pat in Chicago on Jan. 5, 1949. They had four children: Jill was born at Keesler Field in Biloxi, Miss.; Craig at Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Fla.; Jeffrey in Barcelona, Spain; and Scott in St. Albans.
In January 1966 Curt joined United Airlines and secured his Flight Engineer certificate on the DC-8 aircraft. He subsequently was hired for the pilot-training department for Eastern Airlines in Miami, Fla. He secured his ATP Ratings (Captain) in both the DC-8 and the DC-9 during his tenure with Eastern.
After retiring from Eastern in 1987, Pat and Curt chose to live the leisure life in Sun City Center, Fla., where they both became very active in volunteering for many community services. Curt was active with South Bay Hospital, the fitness center, the Security Patrol, the Men’s Club, the Military Officers Association of America and more.
He will be joining his loving wife Pat in heaven, where they can be reunited again for eternity.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at Mansion Memorial Park, 1400 36th Ave. East in Ellenton, Fla.
<h3><b><a href="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/Father-of-the-Bride2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-8600" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/Father-of-the-Bride2-150x150.jpg" alt="Father-of-the-Bride2" width="150" height="150" /></a>William F. Rieger</b></h3>
William F. Rieger, 83, of Sun City Center, Fla., went to be with the Lord on December 11, 2014. He was born in Royersford, Pa.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy H. Rieger; daughter Sharon R. Winterton, wife of Scott M. Winterton, New Port Richey, Fla.; grandson Stephen, Palm Harbor, Fla.; and granddaughter Sarah of New Port Richey. He is also survived by sisters Dorothy Moorehead and Hazel Giera of Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews.
<a href="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-8598" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2014/12/flag-in-color2-150x150.jpg" alt="flag-in-color" width="150" height="150" /></a>He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sun City Center; a member of American Legion Post 246; a member of DAV, Chapter 110; and VFW 7155.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Valley Forge Road, Sun City Center, FL 33573.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, in the Ballroom of Aston Gardens, 1311 Aston Gardens Court in Sun City Center. Pastor David Allman will officiate.
<b>Thank you</b>
<i>I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all who sent their heartfelt condolences to me after the passing of my son Mathew. The many cards were </i><i>received from friends, neighbors and family alike. </i>
<i>I especially appreciate those of you who took the time to attend Mathew’s memorial service and those who </i><i>showed their sympathy with meaningful words and hugs. </i>
<i>Again, thank you all.
</i><i>Sincerely,
</i><i>Faye McKeown.</i>
</div>