Noel F. Keen

Noel F. Keen, 80, of Moberly passed away on Thursday, September 23rd at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. Noel was born April 25, 1941 in Clifton Hill, Mo as the second son to J. Cecil Keen and Vera Lee (Dodd) Keen. He was the younger sibling to the late Bob Keen. He spent many of his early years searching for mischief throughout the small town of Clifton Hill until his family relocated to Moberly, where his father worked for the Wabash railroad. He graduated from Moberly High School in 1959 and went on to attend Moberly Junior College and Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, MO. Noel earned a teaching degree and dedicated much of the next thirty years to mentoring and educating young people. His desk nameplate said “Social Studies Teacher” but more fitting titles would be Friend, Colleague, Mentor, Encourager and Disciplinarian. Later on in life, he happily gave those titles up for the best title of all - “Grandpa”. Following retirement he continued to work with children while driving a bus for Moberly Schools.

Noel met the love of his life, Ms. Linda Jean Kindell at the local Pig-N-Bun restaurant and later married her in Moberly, MO. Noel and Linda were blessed with three children: Lincoln Wade Keen, Dana Lee Keen, and Molly Lynn (Keen) Nuhn. They enjoyed spending time together as a family and attending church functions. The only priority above their children was their relationship with their Lord and Savior. Noel and Linda welcomed several foster children in their home and continued to stay in contact with them through their adulthood.

Those that were around Noel even briefly- soon became aware of his genuine love for kids. From an early age, he loved making people smile and laugh. He sure loved his Diet Pepsi (aka “Nectar of the Gods”) and eating at local restaurants (especially El Vaquero); he knew he would have plenty of opportunities to chat with folks. Noel loved giving to others, watching his St. Louis Cardinals, riding motorcycles and his new electric bike, and tinkering with electronics and gadgets.

Church Family was always important to Noel and LInda. He taught Sunday School, served as Deacon and supported his Church in many other capacities. Noel was a member of Carpenter Street Baptist Church of Moberly, Mo.

Noel was preceded in death by his parents, his brother- Bob Keen, his wife Linda (Kindell) Keen, brother-in-law Jimmy Kindell, daughter Molly (Keen) Nuhn, and many lifelong friends, most recently Charles Schumann. Survivors include his two sons Lincoln and wife Heather (Vogan) Keen of Bevier, Mo. Dana and wife Mary Beth (Stockton) Keen of Cairo,Mo and son-in-law Steven Nuhn of Santa Barbara, CA. Grandchildren include Lynnsey (Keen) and husband Ryan Fletcher of Strafford, MO, Caleb Keen and girlfriend Danielle Sears of Columbia, MO, Lathan and wife Brooke (Summerville) Keen of Callao, Mo.; Spencer Nuhn of Santa Barbara, CA; Allison Keen and fiance Zachary McAdams of Columbia, Mo; and Caroline and Ella Nuhn of Santa Barbara, CA. He also had one great grandchild Rowan Fletcher of Strafford, Mo. Noel also leaves behind sister-in-laws Shirley Keen of Idaho and Jane Ellen Kindell of Renick, Mo. along with several nieces and nephews including Cindy (Keen) Horrace, Damon Keen, Tony Keen, and Chris Keen and their families all from Idaho and Beth (Kindell) Andrews, Bryon Kindell, and Sara (Kindell) Smothers. Noel also had several close friends including Sandy Smith, John Ehrhardt, the late Ken Kilgore and the late Wes and Bev Halliburton.

A celebration of life visitation will be held Friday, October 1, 2021 from 4-6 p.m. at the Riley Pavilion in Rothwell Park, North entrance located in Moberly, MO. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home or the Noel and Linda Keen Memorial Scholarship Fund. For those who feel inclined to do so the family suggests planting a tree in his memory.

Condolences to the family may be shared at pathwaymemorial.com