Michael Blaine Mckeown

Long known to his many friends as an optimist and humorist, Michael Blaine McKeown passed peacefully at his home on March 30, 2009. Mike will be remembered as the friendly pharmacist who took personal interest in his customers. As a witty observer of daily life, Mike drew smiles from colleagues, friends and neighbors. At the same time, he brought high standards of integrity to his actions at work and at home. Mike loved life, and he confronted his illness with characteristic courage and good humor, cheering up his friends and family even as they attempted to offer him support during his final months. Mike graduated from St. Francis High School in Toledo and from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy. He was actively involved in the pharmacy profession from his teenage years when he began working at Erie Drugs. He worked as owner of Heatherview Pharmacy and later as manager of the first Kroger pharmacy in Toledo and as division manager for Kroger pharmacies in Ohio and Michigan. Most recently he was corporate manager for regulatory compliance and contracting at Kroger�s headquarters in Cincinnati, where he courageously continued his duties during his long illness. Mike also taught pharmacy law at the University of Toledo and was past president of the Ohio Pharmacy Association and the Toledo Academy of Pharmacy. He has received numerous awards for his service and leadership to the pharmacy profession. Mike was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, and also a member of the Hyde Park Tennis Club. He will be deeply missed by his wife Lavonne, with whom he shared a loving life from the time they first met in high school. He is honored in memory by his son Brad McKeown and wife Samantha of San Francisco, his daughter Mollee McKeown of Loveland, Ohio, his brother Pat McKeown and wife Judy of Columbus and his sister Sue O�Shea and husband Tim of Fort Worth, Texas and in-laws Jerry Reed of Perrysburg and Pam and Steve Shufro of Boston. As Uncle Mike he will be fondly remembered for the fun he shared with his nephews and nieces. A private family service was held. Memorial donations may be sent to www.multiplemyeloma.org.