Keen A. Furlong

Keen A. Furlong

September 19, 1920 ~ March 11, 2015

Keen A. Furlong R.Ph. passed away peacefully at the age of 94 at Morning View Nursing Center, South Bend on March 11th, 2015. He was born September 19, 1920 in Donora, PA. to the late Dr. Robert Grant Furlong and Joyce Hoffman Furlong. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy Magnuson Furlong; brother Grant Furlong; and his grandson, Robert "Robbie" Keen Furlong Jr. Keen is survived by three daughters, Vikkie (Frank) Verteramo, Karren (Tom) Wcisel and Jeralyn "Jeri"  (John) Corey; one son Robb (Kim) Furlong; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Keen grew up in Donora, PA. where his father was a physician, a Post Master General, Congressional Representative and Sheriff. Keen graduated from Donora High School and Kiski Prep School before joining the Navy, where he served his country proudly in World War II. While stationed at the Hutchinson, Kansas Naval Air Base, he met and fell in love with Dorothy J. Magnuson. The two were married after only four months of courtship on March 3,1944.

After his discharge, they moved to Donora, PA. to live with Keen’s parents while he attended pharmacy school at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He and Dorothy visited her family in South Bend. During that trip Keen accepted a job offer, and they moved to Mishawaka in 1950 with their daughters Vikkie and Karren and later to South Bend. He worked at Lamont's Drug Store on Mishawaka Avenue for many years as well as Darnell's Pharmacy and The Medicine Shop. In later years they purchased their own drug store, which had the last soda fountain in the area. Keen and Dorothy were co-owners of Furlong's River Park area of South Bend from 1966 to 1976. They were co-owners of The Tobacco Barn, where they created their own tobacco blends, and Spice of Life Ltd., a coffee and tea retail business from 1975 to 2008, which were run by Dorothy and their son Robb. They also owned a Coffee/Espresso cart in the St. Joseph Medical Center. Keen retired from CVS at the age of 82.

Keen and Dorothy were married for 68 years when she passed away in 2012. Keen enjoyed fishing and playing his organ. He was an avid reader and history buff, a devoted husband and father, grandfather and great grandfather. Keen was the kindest person that one has ever known. Keen will be missed by all whose lives he has touched.

A celebration of Keen’s long and wonderful life, led by Chaplain Robert Puhr, will be 11:00 am Saturday, March 14, 2015 in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 8:00 pm Friday, March 13, 2015 in the funeral home.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Harbor Light Hospice, 1608 E. Day Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be made at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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