PAULA KEINER

Date of Birth

November 14, 1956

Date of Death

December 20, 2021

Paula Keiner, age 65, of Maple Park, formerly of Naperville, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 20, 2021.

She was born November 14, 1956, in Aurora, IL, to proud and loving parents, Paul and Kathleen Keiner.

Paula grew up in Naperville and attended Bebe grade school and Naperville Central High School before graduating from Kaneland High School with the class of 1974. Paula loved keeping statistics for the high school baseball team and took her turn on the stage with her fellow actors.

Paula continued her education at Waubonsee, where she continued to be the statistician for the baseball team before continuing on to Illinois State University.

In 1985, Paula left the cold winters behind and made her home in Florida. While in the sunshine state, she worked in advertising beginning with McFarland and Dryer in Miami, working her way from the bottom and rising up to become a star media broker. Eventually she left to begin her own business, Keiner Media, and brought it back home to Illinois to be closer to the family that she loved so much. Her passion for helping others led her to purchase a Home Helpers franchise and made her name in the home health care industry.

Paula had a special place in her heart for animals, especially her numerous cats and a few treasured dogs. She traveled relentlessly on “cousin cruises” to various destinations including Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and Hawaii. Her trips weren’t only confined to boats, many trips in the company of her aunts and cousins to wineries in southern Michigan, making memories with every glass. Summer vacations in Northern Wisconsin, led her to become part owner of a lake home, with family and friends. Her love of the north was born from her childhood and the multitude of family vacations and was maybe where she found a love of fishing. Paula had a special relationship with the television show, Miami Vice, whose cast she consulted with many fundraising opportunities. Her collection of memories includes several pictures of her and Don Johnson. He became second string when she found the show, Yellowstone, and her “beloved” Rip took the top spot with a bullet.  Nothing was more precious as family to her, and it wasn’t just those to whom she was related. She never met a stranger, and any friend of the family was a member of the family for life, according to Paula. She gave of herself and became “everyone’s aunt”, had a list of friends a mile long and embodied the quintessential unconditional love of her Savior. Never having been able to fully bear the loss of her parents, the family chain has linked again after her Heavenly homecoming. The world is colder for her absence, her warm heart, infinite compassion, and long-lasting love can’t be replaced, but will always be remembered.

She is survived by her brothers: David and Kathy Hahn Keiner, and their children: Danny, Marie and Jacob; and Chris Keiner and his children: Emily, Alison and Adam Keiner; countless aunts, cousins and friends the world over.

She is preceded by her parents, Paul and Kay Keiner.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A memorial Mass to celebrate her faith will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil. Private family interment will follow at a later date.

Instead of flowers, the family would like to invite everyone to donate to the charity that was close to their hearts. Although Paula never had Alzheimer’s,  she led many fundraisers in support of finding a cure. Please give from your heart to http://act.alz.org. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A memorial Mass to celebrate her faith will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Virgil. Private family interment will follow at a later date.

9 thoughts on “PAULA KEINER

  1. Paula left this world a better place and I was a better person for having known her. Such a beautiful person inside and out. We had many escapades in high school and memories were made that still fill my heart. Loved her then and love her still.

  2. I’m so sorry to hear of Paula’s sudden passing. My condolences to her family. I grew up in the same neighborhood over on Eagle Street and around the corner from her Grandparents Adam and Mildred who were my Great Uncle and Aunt. End of an era.

  3. Thank you for being a lifetime friend and for all of the love and encouragement you’ve given me with my mothers declining health and transition into hospice. Mama passed on 12/18. Perhaps you two have met again in the great beyond.

    I love you PK. No finer lady in the land. I’ll miss your sweet smile, laughter and generous spirit.

    Until we meet again. Your friend Carol ❤️⭐️

  4. Paula was very special to me. Her Mom and the Fraley family were in my life since 1950. I remember when Paula was born and watched her grow up. No one was kinder or more loving to everyone. A big void here on earth but Heaven is sweeter. Jesus and her family and friends there rejoiced

  5. My deepest condolences to Paula’s beloved family. I had the privilege of knowing Paula and enjoying her friendship. May she Rest In Peace !

  6. Our condolenes to the entire Keiner Clan. Although we have not seen Paula in a few years, when we did meet, she always brought her bright and positive outlook on life. She had that unique gift of making you feel comfortable, like you were long lost freinds just catching up on life. She’ll be missed…….

  7. Paula Keiner made a difference across decades. With a gentle yet always vibrant personality – and the ability to make friends with seemingly great ease, Paula was the spark igniting so many good things and so much fun – memories of which have not faded since the days at Kaneland, now very long ago. It is so good to see Chris Mingus’ comment here, as Paula and Chris were truly two ever-turning syncronized, dynamic wheels of the car which steered in such a delightful direction when in motion. The measure of a life is made in much part by noting the genuine kindness and true caring given freely to others. Paula gave all of herself to doing so, particularly as one giving guidance and professional support as a dedicated home healthcare professional. She made a great difference to so many, and leaves a legacy of great love in touching peoples’ lives during times when that love was so crucial. It is very sad to know of her passing, but a joy to know of the contribution to the human family she so happily made.

  8. Paula was the queen of unconditional love. She knew all the details and kept the family together and close at heart. We had our special things only us knew, she made me feel loved and cared for. I’ll miss you Paula, I’m so glad we were able to have the long intimate talks we did over the last few years. I love you 💛🌟

  9. Paula was a wonderful woman, a great friend and a trusted associate with Home Helpers. Paula was blessed with the ability to sort thru challenges and see the positive, not the negative. Paula’s devotion to caring for her parents was the epitome of what was in her heart to sacrifice whatever was necessary to care for others.

    Thanks for all you did Paul to inspire and support me over the years. I will truly miss Paula but rejoice as I know she is with our Saviour in heaven resting in eternal peace.

Leave a Reply to Diane Robinson Cancel reply