Friday
8
November
Visitation
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, November 8, 2024
at Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd., Media, PA
Middletown (Rt. #352) & Knowlton Roads Middletown
Media, Pennsylvania, United States
Saturday
9
November
Visitation
9:00 am - 10:15 am
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Church of St. Francis de Sales
35 New Road
Aston, Pennsylvania, United States
Saturday
9
November
Funeral Mass
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Church of St. Francis de Sales
35 New Road
Aston, Pennsylvania, United States
Saturday
9
November
Interment
11:30 am - 11:45 am
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Church of St. Francis de Sales Churchyard
35 New Road
Aston, Pennsylvania, United States
Obituary of John T. McKeown
John T. “Jack” McKeown, 79, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024 at his home in Aston, PA. A lifelong resident of Delaware County, Jack was the son of the late Joseph F. McKeown and Catherine E. (Nolan) McKeown of Lenni, PA, who instilled great pride of their Irish heritage in him.
Jack was a lifelong member of St. Francis de Sales parish in Lenni, where he attended primary school. In 1963 he graduated from St. James High School and went on to St. Joseph’s University, where he graduated in 1967.
Jack began his firefighting career in 1963 as a volunteer at the Lenni Heights Fire Company, where was appointed as its Fire Chief in 1971 before becoming the first career Fire Marshal/Code Enforcement Officer for Middletown Township in 1976.
During his 40-plus years in public service, he filled many roles, including 18 months as interim Township Manager and later as Chief Zoning Officer. He chaired the Township’s first fire apparatus committee helping the volunteer fire companies receive their first Township-funded fire trucks. He also served for many years as the 11th District Fire Marshal in western Delaware County and acted as Delaware County Fire Marshal. He was a longstanding member of the Delaware County Firemen’s Association and a founding member of the Delaware County Hazardous Materials Advisory Committee.
After retiring in 2011, Jack wrote two books, “Middletown Car #1 Responding,” and “Middletown Car #1 Second Alarm.” Both books recount historical fires, floods, and other notable events in the township during his career. His most recent autobiographical book, “Growing up in Rockdale/Lenni?” was completed shortly before his passing and will be published in 2025.
Jack was preceded in death by his younger brother Edward McKeown in August 2024. Jack is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lynda (Hicks) McKeown; their children Glenn McKeown and wife Margie, Michelle McKeown, Beth McKeown and husband Matt Klim, and Brendan McKeown and wife Julie; nine grandchildren; his brother Joseph McKeown and wife Teresa; his sister Dorothy (McKeown) Haas and husband Bud; and his brother Edward’s widow, Nurten.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours:
Friday, November 8th from 5:00-8:00PM at the Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Rds., Middletown Twp., Media, PA, 19063, and Saturday, November 9th after 9:00AM at the Church of St. Francis de Sales, 35 New Rd., Aston, PA 19014.
Funeral Mass: Saturday, November 9th at 10:30AM at the Church of St. Francis de Sales, 35 New Rd. Aston, PA 19014.
Interment: St. Francis de Sales Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Delaware County Fallen Firefighter & EMS Memorial: P.O. Box 401 Springfield, PA 19064.
Share Your Memory of
John
Delaware County Funeral Directors Association
Licensed in Delaware & New Jersey
Phone: (610) 876-4213
608 S. Old Middletown Road
Media, PA 19063
