Age 54, December 29, 2006. Military Historian, curator, re-enactor, toy soldier enthusiast, beloved brother, uncle and friend to all who crossed his path, died suddenly at the Joliet (Illinois) Area Historical Museum where he had worked for the past 3 years. The former Metro Detroit and Oak Park, Illinois resident was preceded in death by parents Roseann and Walter J. Keener Sr., and survived by beloved brothers, Kevin (Cathy), Kurt (Nedra), Ken (Sue), Kyle (Christine), Kerry (Dawn) and dear sister Karen; nieces and nephews, Kristyn, Holly, Kelly, Brigitte, Christopher, Colin, Jaron, Abby, Joey, Katie and Braeden; former wife Cathy Mason; dear friend Clarice and a legion of friends. Visitation Friday 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., Prayer Service 7:30 p.m. at Spaulding & Curtin Funeral Directors, 500 W. Nine Mile Rd. (1½ blocks west of Woodward), Ferndale and Saturday 9:30 a.m. until Funeral Mass 10 a.m. at Saint James Catholic Church, 241 Pearson Street, at Woodward Avenue, Ferndale. Interment White Chapel Cemetery, Troy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Walts' name to the Joliet Area Historical Museum, to help support acquisitions and collection management c/o Executive Director Susan English, 204 Ottawa St., Joliet, IL 60432, Phone 815-723-5201. - See more at: http://deathnotices.michigan.com/view-single.php?id=134369&token=#sthash.Yqc55VjK.dpuf