Joseph Leo ‘Joe’ Keating, 82, of Hutchinson, died November 25, 2020, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born February 19, 1938, in Frankfort, to Leo A. and Marie A. (Culhan) Keating.
Joe grew up on the family dairy farm near Home City and graduated from Beattie High School in 1956. He attended Benedectine College and Kansas State University. Joe served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1962 and the National Guard from 1962 to 1966. He began his career with Borton Incorporated in 1957 and held many jobs over the years, from timekeeper to job superintendent to safety director to director of human resources to assistant general superintendent. Joe retired in 2003, after 46 years with the company.
He was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church and was a 3rd Degree Knight with Knights of Columbus Council #612 and 4th Degree Knight with the Father Cushing Assembly.
On January 9, 1971, Joe married Kay M. (Minihan) Spitler, in Emporia. She died August16, 2015.
He is survived by children, Terri Shurtleff, Wichita, Rick Spitler (Amy), Hutchinson, Joey Keating (Sarah), Russellville, AR; grandchildren, Kristie McClellan (Roger), Ryan Spitler, Lexie Boor (Brad), Katie Shurtleff, Courtney Keating, Abby Spitler, Emily Keating; great-grandchildren, Connor Shurtleff, Theodore Boor, and one on the way; siblings, Patsy Micheletti (Norm), Blue Springs, MO, Jean Nordhus (Jerry), Shawnee, Rose Marie Keating (Jim Brauer), Albuquerque, NM, Mick Keating (Jane), Marysville; and many extended family members.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kay; son, Doug Spitler; brother, Louis; and sisters, Mary Ellen, Rita, and Ann.
Parish Rosary will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2020, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m., both at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 211 E 5th Ave., Hutchinson, with Father Michael J. Maybrier officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, with military honors conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. The funeral will be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, with family present from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.