Frank Thomas Keene III

Frank Thomas Keene III, 77, of Fenelton, passed away peacefully at home in the company of his loving wife and daughter early Wednesday evening, October 2, 2024.

Frank was born in Tarentum, on November 20, 1946.  He was the son of the late Frank T. Jr. and Ruth M. (Farringer) Keene.

He was a 1964 graduate of Butler Area High School and was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served aboard a submarine tender off the coast of Vietnam.

In 2002 Frank retired as a crane operator from Armco/A.K. Steel in Butler PA. He was the owner/operator of Keen Line Kennels in Fenelton and was a well-known tri-state area beagle trainer and field trial judge. He was inducted into Pennsylvania Beagle Gundog Federation hall of fame in 2018. Frank’s beagles were awarded many ribbons, plaques, and trophies and he had raised more than 20 field champion beagles.  He was a long-time field trial judge for the American Kennel Club.  Frank was an avid hunter, trapper, bass fishermen and beagle trainer. He was a former member of the Butler Bass Casters and The Butler Archery Club. A current Hilltop Beagle Club member for numerous years.

Surviving is his wife, whom he called "Patty" Patricia L. (Silk) Keene, whom he married in Connoquenessing on May 6, 1967.  Also surviving is a daughter, Amy M. (Keene) Tisdale and her husband, Gregory, of Butler.  He was affectionately “Pap” to his four grandchildren, Kayla M. Dasch-Dobson and her husband, Brandon of Pinellas Park, FL, Thomas G. Tisdale, Jared J. Tisdale, and Zachary B. Tisdale, all of Butler; two great grandsons, Zadayne and Macklin Dobson of Pinellas Park, FL. Also surviving a brother, John I. Keene of Fenelton; a sister, Patricia L. (Keene) Saxton of Downingtown, PA; a brother-in-law, Gary T. Silk of Butler; his idol Uncle Ray Farringer and his Aunt Maxine Kersey, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Angel Marie, and a son, Jeffrey Thomas, as well as a number of aunts and uncles.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora from 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Saturday, October 12. Military honors will be accorded at 3 p.m. at the funeral home by members of the Chicora and Brady’s Bend American Legion Posts.  A memorial service will follow from the funeral home at 7 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Beverly Roscoe, pastor of the Chicora United Methodist Church, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice 154 Hindman Rd Butler PA 16001. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

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