Sean P. Keniley

Sean Patrick Keniley (aka Krash) passed peacefully Thursday, August 3, 2023, after a courageous battle with Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia III, (SCA3 or Machado-Joseph Disease). Sean is survived by his loving children: Mercede (Alberte) Alberte with grandson Noah of Navarre, FL; Charity Keniley & fiancé Cody Clopton, of Springfield, MO; Lexie Keniley of South Hill, VA and Corey (Brook)Koch and grandchildren, Payton and Brantley of Okeechobee, FL., Sean’s siblings: Michael (Marsha) Keniley of Plainfield, IL, Mary Sebby of Plainfield, Norman Keniley of Shorewood, IL, Margaret Keniley of Shorewood, IL and Teresa (Joseph) Coccaro of Westfield, IN. Sean is also survived by an uncle, Darrel Stites and an aunt, Patricia Werner, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sean packed a lifetime of fun into 52 short years. He was born in Beaumont, TX. At the early age of one, he moved to Plainfield, IL where he later attended St. Mary Immaculate grade school and Plainfield High School before moving to Florida. There, he married and later served in the United States Navy where he served in the Persian Gulf. Sean was immensely proud of his naval career. He was a “brown shirt” a F-14 System Organizational Maintenance Technician serving with the VF-101 Grim Reapers! While serving, Sean received the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Sea Service Dep Ribbon (2) as well as an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Sean was diagnosed with SCA III while serving in 1998.

Sean (Krash) loved having a good time! He could not wait for his annual 4^th of July party with family and friends, and was an avid fan of Notre Dame, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago White Sox and the Blackhawks.  He played his rock music loud and his movies even louder! He also loved karaoke, his pets “dogs”, collectibles, and live rock music concerts.

We would like to extend a special thanks to Sean’s Angels, aka Team Sean (his caregivers and friends) Stef, Megan, 2 Angela’s, Hannah, Leo, Kelly, Payton to name a few, and most loyal constant friend (Mike) and to Sunny Hill team and the Lifeways Hospice Center (Joliet). Thank you all for the love, laughs and support!

Sean is preceded in death by his parents Maurice (Skip) & Carole Keniley, siblings Maura Pedersen, Martin Keniley and niece Jessica Grabowski.

A celebration of life will Aug 6^th from 6pm-8pm at the Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home 1500 Black Rd, Joliet, Illinois 60435.  Interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 W Hoff Rd  Elwood, Il 60421 on Monday August 7, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.   In lieu of flowers donations made in the name of Sean P Keniley to the National Ataxia Foundation  http://www.ataxia.org for SCA-3 research would be appreciated.