John Preston Keaton
July 16, 1966 ~ January 19, 2019
John Preston Keaton, 52 of Leonardtown, MD passed away at St. Mary’s Nursing Center on January 19, 2019. He was born in Georgetown on July 16, 1966. In 1970 he became the son of James Rudolph (Rudy) Pilkerton and Linda Mae Adams Pilkerton. John is survived by his brothers; Thomas (Tommy) James Pilkerton, Kimberly Allen Phillips (wife Patty), and Mark Schoenwetter. He is also survived by 2 nieces; Ashley and Cari, nephew, Jimmy. As well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, especially is friend Mike Lacey.
John graduated from Leonardtown High School in 1985. He worked at St. Mary’s Nursing Center for 31 years, where he was a valued employee and loved by everyone.
John was very true to his faith and has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since he was old enough to join them.
John always enjoyed his yearly trips to Nashville, TN to meet and greet all the country music stars.
John was outstanding in taking care of his mother and father in their last few years so that they could live at home.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM followed by Knights of Columbus prayers at 7:15 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 11:00 AM in Our Lady’s at Medley’s Neck Leonardtown, MD with Father John Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
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It is with deep sadness, that I am writing a condolence,
for a Fine Man that I am proud to call a True Friend.
Although you left your earthly home way to soon, you have given so much of yourself to others. I have never met an individual more dedicated to his family, work, and friends. Your religious faith has help you through the difficult days that have now passed! I know you are home in Heaven receiving the rewards you so worthy deserve.
Working with you for the past 31 years has been a true blessing to me.
I’m sure there will be tears and laughter in the future when we speak of you. Rest assured you will never be forgotten. Deepest Sympathy to your family. Rest in Peace.
Till we meet again…
Deepest sympathy to the family REST IN PEACE JOHN
Sincere condolences to John’s family, many friends and co-workers. John was a wonderful and very dedicated individual, may he rest in peace and may his family find comfort in the many happy memories that he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
It is incredibly difficult to write a worthy condolence for an amazing person, son, friend and coworker. For 18 years I have enjoyed your gentle presence at work. You were steadfast and true to all who came to know you. In my life I do not think I have known a more pure soul. I strive to achieve the character traits that you naturally and effortlessly possessed . I honestly think you saw others with eyes like Jesus…with only love, never judgment and offered love abundantly. I am honored and blessed to have been called your friend. I will cherish you memory until the Lord calls me home and we meet again!
Sincere condolences to John’s family . RIP John…
My thoughts and prayers are with John’s family. The loss of John is felt by many. I am grateful to have known him. John had a warm presence which he shared with everyone. He always had a kind word to all. John will be in our hearts and memories. “Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but in thankfulness that he was.” -Hebrew Proverb. May the memory of John bring you comfort and peace.
I am deeply saddened by the news of Johns passing. It was an honor and a blessing to have known John. He was not only a coworker, he was a kind, sweet, a friend and a truly genuine person! May you Rest In Peace!
Dear Thomas, Rose and family, We hope you find comfort knowing that we all thought John was such a nice and splendid person and we will miss him here on earth. I am sure he is surrounded by comfort and love in his final resting place.
John – I always called you my gentle giant. You stood tall, had a huge heart and were most dedicated to St. Mary’s Nursing Center. You always kept others in your heart and set a true example of an Awesome! employee for the facility, the staff and mostly for our residents. Rest in peace my giant until we meet again.
We are so sorry for your loss you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Truly sorry to hear of the families loss, losing of a loved one is difficult especially when they still should have many years ahead. I pray Gods promise that soon we will see our loved one again brings you comfort (John 5:28,29).
It was a privilege to grow up in Medley’s Neck with John Keaton as a friend, to join with him in parish liturgies and activities, and to be a Brother with John in Knights of Columbus St. Mary’s Council 1470. John did an outstanding job as Grand Knight of the Council from 1996 to 1998. I served as his deputy and learned by example from him about true Christian life in the Catholic faith. John went on to be Faithful Navigator of the Father Andrew White Assembly. He is one of the top five longest serving KofC Bingo volunteers (living or deceased) on Fridays at Father Andrew White, S.J. School. John’s caregiving, provided so generously to his parents and Nursing Center residents, truly extended to everyone he met and with whom he established a bond. May he rest in peace.
You were a wonderful man and your love for your mom and dad is proof of that. Thank-you for always stopping and taking the time to talk or help all the people at the nursing center. It takes a special person to do that and you John were that one special person. May God wrap his loving arms around your surviving family. I know Uncle Rudy and Aunt Linda were there to greet you with open arms. RIP till we talk again always Pat-n-Betty
Our sincerest sympathy to all the family and many friends of John. He was always so kind and dedicated to the KOC. He has participated often at events at the Mother of Light Shrine in Colton’s Point and we will always be grateful to him and the other Knoghts of Columbus.
May God greatly bless him now for all his good deeds and kindness to so many and may you all be comforted to know how he was loved by many. Rest in peace dear friend.
I am so sorry for your loss. It is evident that John was deeply loved and admired by those around him. Rest assured that, even at such a trying time, you access to the true source of comfort given to us by our Creator that “saves those crushed in spirit” according to Psalm 34. Please allow the comforting words of our Heavenly Father to be on your hearts and minds so that you may endure this difficult trial and look forward to the day when you may see John again (2 Cor 1:3,4; John 6:40).
My sincere condolences to the family. The pain, the grief and the feelings of helplessness can seem unbearable. At such times, we need to go to God’s word for comfort.
Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, A help that is readily found in times of distress.