Keith R. "Sam" Sells

Keith R. "Sam" Sells, 77, of Galesburg, died at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Keith was born March 24, 1939 in Monmouth, the son of Ernest F. and Madeline F. Foote Sells. He married Donna Geldbrandt. He later married Sandra Kay Martin on June 23, 1996 in Galesburg. Sam is survived by his wife, Sandra of Galesburg; a son, Keith (Velma) Sells, Jr. of South Carolina; two daughters, Debbie (Reginald) Williams of Inkster, MI and Genella (Lewie) Fell of Colorado; 19 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. He is also survived by an additional son, Donavan Anderson of Galesburg; two additional daughters, Tonia (Bill Morse) Anderson of Galesburg and Tara (Bob) Smith of Michigan; two sisters, Evelyn Carpenter of Davenport, IA and Kathi (Fritz) Ewalt of Monmouth; a cousin he grew up with, Edith Ann; a sister in law, Sandra Sell of Bourbonnais; and his best friend and companion, his dog, Charlie Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Cindy; an additional daughter, Lola Anderson; and brothers, William D. and Ernest Sells. He worked as a carman for C.B.& Q. Railroad and later Burlington Northern Railroad, retiring after 39 years. He attended Calvary Assembly of God Church. Sam's favorite pastime was fishing, especially at the Mississippi River. He also loved attending the Prime Beef Festival and Parade and going to his sister's Fourth of July party. He also enjoyed pulling demo cars for his family. Sam also enjoyed being a volunteer cook at the Galesburg Rescue Mission. Memorial visitation will be 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorials may be directed to the family.