PALERMO, ME—John Robert Keene, 73, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2015, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, ME. He was born in Ashland, ME on February 15, 1942, the son of the late Robert and Doris (Hunnewell) Keene. John graduated from Sherman High School and entered the Army immediately upon graduation in 1959. He served during the Vietnam era in the Far East and Europe. He was honorable discharged after six years and nine months of dedicated service. Following his military service, John joined the workforce and was employed for over 50 years as a truck driver, retiring from Marriners Paving of Rockport in 2011. John was an active member of Palermo American Legion post 163. He enjoyed Bingo, his puppy Sam, and his morning coffee with the guys at Tobey’s General Store. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Theodore Mitchell Jr.; his grandson, Ambrose Sastamonie; his sisters, Evelyn Reece, Edith Lampher, and Irene Keene; and his brothers, Lyndon Keene and Royce Keene. John will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 42 years together, Josie (Reynolds) Keene; his children, Melanie Keene of Swanville, ME, Robert Keene and his wife, Wendy of Union, ME, Brenda Barden and her husband, Larry of China, ME, Donna Keeler and her husband, Jim of Readfield, ME, Tim Mitchell and his wife, Wendy of Windsor, ME, and Bonnie Mitchell of Georgia; his sister, Elaine Joseph and her husband, Tom of Belfast, ME; his brother, Ernest Keene and his wife, Kris of Litchfield, ME; and several grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Visiting hours will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with a funeral service with military honors to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16 at Lawry Brothers-Gray Chapel, 207 Windsor Neck Road, Windsor, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to Palermo American Legion post 163, P.O. Box 183, Palermo, ME 04354