Obituary: Denise ‘Dee’ Keevil

Dee Keevil graduated from Southern Oregon State College (now SOU). Her two daughters were born in Ashland.
January 19, 2025

March 1, 1955 — Jan. 5, 2025

Denise “Dee” Keevil, of Exeter Township, passed away at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in, Bernville, Pennsylvania, her family at her bedside. She was 69.

Dee Keevil

Dee was born in Sayreville, New Jersey, to Harry L. and Joan E. (Coursen) Van Note. She graduated from Shore Regional High School and from Southern Oregon University (then Southern Oregon State College) with a bachelor’s degree in education.

In 1970, she met Dave Keevil, beginning the 55 years of their wonderful life together. Over the years, Dee and Dave lived in Florida, Oregon, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Their daughters were born in Ashland.

Dee was a preschool teacher who loved and nurtured every child under her care. She cherished her children and grandchildren, and her love for her family was evident in all that she did. Everywhere they lived, Dee created a beautiful, welcoming home.

Dee is survived by her husband, Dave, her two daughters, Cherie, (Tucker) Hibbs, of Great Falls, Montana, and Jenna, (Brian) Pethick, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. She’s also survived her eight beloved grandchildren: Rory, Tate, Elsa, Jonas, and Levi Hibbs, and Cody, Ava, and Mabel Pethick. Dee also leaves behind her four siblings and their spouses: Keith Van Note, Cindy Riemann, Jeff Van Note, and Debra Vetters, and many nieces and nephews. Dee loved her husband’s brothers and their wives as if they were her own.

Family and friends will gather later for a remembrance celebration of Dee’s life.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home in West Reading, Pennsylvania, is in charge of arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation. Online condolences may be recorded at Kuhn funeral homes.com.

Obituaries may be submitted to Ashland.news via our online article submission form, or via email to [email protected], with a photo or two attached if desired. Please be sure to include dates of birth and death, and reference to connections to Ashland/Talent/Southern Oregon. Please allow a few days for posting. There is no charge. Those wishing to make a donation supporting the Ashland.news service may do so here.

Picture of Jim

Jim

Related Posts...

Obituary: David Brian Shaw

Obituary: David Shaw, 78, former executive director of the Peter Britt Festivals in Jacksonville, founder of Artbeat Inc., and facilitator of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area founding, died Feb. 1, 2025.

Read More »

Obituary: Sandra Risser

Obituary: Sandra Risser, who began life in quiet eastern Nebraska before building a family and a professional career in Washington, D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area, died Jan. 4 in Ashland. She was 87.

Read More »

Obituary: Terry Frosini

Obituary: Terry Frosini, 79, passed peacefully in his home in Ashland, Oregon, a place he has always loved, on Jan. 31. After the Peace Corps, he became a freelance videographer, making documentaries and commercials for organizations all around the U.S., and was an accomplished artist.

Read More »

Obituary: Mary Lou Carlson

Obituary: Proud mom and devoted wife, Mary Louise “Mary Lou” Viola Carlson, 93, passed away in hospice Jan. 19 in Medford. A celebration of life will be held this spring when the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing.

Read More »

Our Sponsors

Klamath Bird Observatory Experience the wonders of Souteast Brazil Ashland Oregon
Conscious Design Build Ashland Oregon
Pronto Printing Ashland Medford Southern Oregon

Latest posts

Crossword: Peak Performances

This week’s crossword: roles, runs and readings at a nearby mountain. Solve it directly in the article or download a PDF to print. Next week’s crossword: “Camelot 2025 #02.” More crosswords under the Culture menu.

Read More >

Shrooms on Main: Licensed psilocybin facility offers low dose option

A crowd gathered outside the psychedelic entrance of the Shrooms Cafe in downtown Ashland Friday night, Feb. 7. They were among the first visitors to climb the long flight of stairs that lead to a large open room filled with music and colored lights. It was opening night at Shrooms Cafe at 139 E. Main Street, next door to O’Ryans Irish Pub. 

Read More >

Ashland native finishes Yukon Quest 450 Dog Sled Race

Erik Oline, a 2017 graduate of Ashland High School, finished the Yukon Quest 450 dog sled race Feb. 6. The race started and finished in Teslin, Canada, and covered 450 miles through the beautiful wintry Yukon Territory. Erik brought home the “Red Lantern” award, which is given to the final finisher of the race.

Read More >

Obituary: David Brian Shaw

Obituary: David Shaw, 78, former executive director of the Peter Britt Festivals in Jacksonville, founder of Artbeat Inc., and facilitator of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area founding, died Feb. 1, 2025.

Read More >

Stiff winds likely followed by rain showers over coming days

Ashland’s hiatus of dry days ends with five straight days with rain showers in the forecast, according to a National Weather Service forecast as of Wednesday evening. Showers are expected during the day Thursday and Friday, in the evening Saturday, night and day Sunday and during Monday’s Presidents Day holiday day.

Read More >

Our Sponsors

City of Ashland Public Notice Ashland Oregon
Ashland Parks and Recreation Ashland Oregon
Ashland.news House Ad

Explore More...

This week's crossword: roles, runs and readings at a nearby mountain. Solve it directly in the article or download a PDF to print. Next week's crossword: "Camelot 2025 #02." More crosswords under the Culture menu.
A crowd gathered outside the psychedelic entrance of the Shrooms Cafe in downtown Ashland Friday night, Feb. 7. They were among the first visitors to climb the long flight of stairs that lead to a large open room filled with music and colored lights. It was opening night at Shrooms Cafe at 139 E. Main Street, next door to O'Ryans Irish Pub. 
Herbert Rothschild: Regarding the evisceration of USAID, I didn’t expect any better from Musk or Trump. What I’m watching closely is how Christian leaders respond.
Erik Oline, a 2017 graduate of Ashland High School, finished the Yukon Quest 450 dog sled race Feb. 6. The race started and finished in Teslin, Canada, and covered 450 miles through the beautiful wintry Yukon Territory. Erik brought home the "Red Lantern" award, which is given to the final finisher of the race.
The city of Ashland’s police volunteer program, which had around 30 volunteers before the COVID pandemic, now has only around 10. Volunteers help put extra eyes on patrol areas such as Lithia Park and the bike path and help manage special events such as parades.
ashland.news logo

Subscribe to the newsletter and get local news sent directly to your inbox.

(It’s free)

Don't Miss Our Top Stories

Get our newsletter delivered to your inbox three times a week.
It’s FREE and you can cancel anytime.