Keene

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

Frank was born in Tarentum on Nov. 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/AK Steel in Butler. He was the owner/operator of Keen Line Kennels in Fenelton and was a well-known tristate 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 longtime 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 Butler Archery Club and was a 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, Fla., and Thomas G. Tisdale, Jared J. Tisdale, and Zachary B. Tisdale, all of Butler; and two great-grandsons, Zadayne and Macklin Dobson of Pinellas Park, Fla. Also surviving are 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; and his idol, his 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.

KEENE — Friends of Frank Thomas Keene III, who died Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, will be received from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at HILE FUNERAL HOME of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road.

Military honors will be accorded at 3 p.m. at the funeral home by members of the Chicora and Bradys Bend American Legion posts.

A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m. Saturday from the funeral home with the Rev. Beverly Roscoe, pastor of the Chicora United Methodist Church, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.