Walter G. McKeen

Walter George McKeen of Jeffersonville, New York, passed away peacefully at home while holding the hand of his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Nancy Bowen McKeen. He was eleven days shy of his 90th birthday. The son of the late Edwin and Lillian McKeen, Walter was born on April 8, 1935, in Queens, N.Y. After graduating from high school in 1953, he and his parents settled first in Lake Huntington and then in Jeffersonville. He would meet Nancy in Jeff Alleys, where both were on bowling teams, and marry in 1965. Together they would raise four children and own Liberty Press, a very successful printing business they operated from 1973 until their retirement in 1995.

Both Walter and Nancy instilled a great work ethic in their children, in addition to being wonderful role models of what a happy, loving family should be like.

Walter was very active in his community over the years as a member of the Lake Huntington Volunteer Fire Department, the Jeffersonville Ambulance Corps, a Cubmaster of Pack 106, a member of the Jeff Lions Club, and a member of the Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School Board. Walter served as a Village of Jeffersonville Village Justice, being appointed in 1971, and was later elected as the Town of Callicoon Town Justice from 1976 to 2008. Walter and Nancy drove their 1932 Ford Model B to many functions as members of the Catskill AACA Car Club of America.

Upon their retirement, Walter and Nancy purchased a second home in Forest View Estates, Homosassa, Florida, where they would make strong friendships and travel the Caribbean extensively. Walter became known for his skills as a breakfast chef at Forest View pancake breakfasts.

In addition to his wife, Walter is survived by his children Robert (Sue) McKeen, Kelly (Scott) Erlwein, Kathy (Mike) Lowe, and Mike (Natalie) McKeen. He is further survived by thirteen grandchildren: Kevin (Calley) Erlwein, Michael (Katie) Erlwein, James Walter (Jessica) Erlwein, Jenn (Jed) Brink, Robert Walter (Annie) McKeen, William (Lori) McKeen, Meghan (Paul) Spisak, Ryan (Jaimee) Lowe, Jason Lowe (Grace Turner), Dahlia McKeen, Haylee McKeen, Michael McKeen, and Olivia McKeen.

Walter is additionally survived by ten great-grandchildren: Matthew and Scott Erlwein, Owen and Andi Jeanne Erlwein, Tristan, Evelyn and Liam Brink, Brenden and Jenna Lowe, and Asher Spisak. Walter is further survived by several brothers- and sisters-in-law, along with multiple nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his brother Edwin McKeen, sister-in-law Ann McKeen, and father- and mother-in-law Ted and Jeanne Bowen.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 12-2 p.m. in the Harris Funeral Home West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 2 p.m. in the funeral home.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngsville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550 or the Western Sullivan Public Library, P.O. Box 594, Jeffersonville, N.Y. 12748.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY. 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 or www.Harris-FH.com