Jim Keefe

Lorel Roestel 1924-2020

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Lorel Wayne Roestel, age 95, passed away on February 28, 2020 in Spokane surrounded by his loving family.

He was born August 13, 1924 in Spokane to Lorel and Ethel (Matson) Roestel. He married Beverly Watkins in 1947 and started a family raising seven children on a farm out on the Palouse. In 1962 they moved to Snoqualmie Valley, they returned again to Spokane in 2013 until his passing.

His life revolved around his love for his family and his faith in his Creator Jehovah God. Grandpa loved spending time with his family of 7 children, 27 grandchildren, 37 1/2 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren!!

He is survived by his sons Larry, Terry & David Roestel; his daughters, Sheryl Ripley, Mollee Raney and Pam Hillemann. He is preceded in death by his wife Beverly H. Roestel and by his son Garry J. Roestel.

Memorial Service Information

Published in Spokesman-Review on Mar. 8, 2020

Pfc Lorel Roestel
Company I – 2nd Platoon
I-304-76
May 1945 – Schmölln, Germany

Company I Homepage

Tags Company I

Artist Spotlight

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Sticky post

Jim Keefe is the artist of the Sally Forth comic strip, written by Francesco Marciuliano. Sally Forth is syndicated worldwide by King Features.

A graduate of the Joe Kubert School, Jim started his career as the head colorist at King Features Syndicate coloring such world-renowned strips as Blondie, Beetle Bailey and Hagar the Horrible.

From 1996-2003 he was the writer and artist of Flash Gordon for King Features Syndicate.

Teaching and speaking engagements include SVA in Manhattan, Hofstra’s UCCE Youth Programs, the University of Minnesota and most recently the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

To follow Jim on social media, just click on one of the icons below.

Tags Flash Gordon, Jim Keefe, MCAD, Sally Forth

Sally Forth Steve Bissette

Sally Forth Jam Session With Horror Master Stephen Bissette

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As the Sally Forth Halloween story kicks into high gear this week, I have something kinda cool to help promote it. A promo piece with art by none other than horror master Stephen Bissette!

Drawing of Hillary by Jim Keefe – Background demons by Stephen Bissette

Stephen Bissette is an award winning cartoonist, teacher and publisher. He’s most notably known for his iconic run on Swamp Thing, Tyrant and the comics anthology Taboo.

And how did this creepy collaboration come about you may ask? Well earlier this month I posted a Sally Forth panel that I had drawn that had a wall full of demons (as sometimes happens).

The panel being part of writer Francesco Marciuliano’s Halloween story where weird things are happening inside the Forth home.

Sally Forth comic strip from October 4, 2018

I also mentioned online that the inspiration for the panel came from a Stephen Bissette/John Totleben comic book page drawn during their award winning run on Swamp Thing (in collaboration with writer Alan Moore).

Shortly after that post I got the following message.

Followed by my reaction.

I immediately gave a thumbs up and then sent Stephen a rough of Hillary in the foreground with a demon doll and horrific creatures slithering in the background. In short order I was sent the following inks.

And THAT in a nutshell is how Francesco and I ended up with a very cool promo piece for the current Sally Forth Halloween story.

I want to give a special thanks to Stephen Bissette for taking time out of his busy teaching schedule at the Center for Cartoon Studies to do this – Greatly appreciated!

And with that said – Hope everyone stays tuned as our Sally Forth Halloween Story continues…

Tags SallyForth, Stephen Bissette

Keefe Family

Alexander Patton – Bio

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Alexander Patton was Richard Keefe’s Great-great-grandfather on his Mother’s side of the family.

This page is from the book Columbus Mayors, printed during the Bicentennial by the Columbus Citizen-Journal.

Keefe Family

Victoria Wegner – Birth Certificate

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Victoria Wegner is Dolores Keefe’s Grandmother on her Father’s side of the family.

Chris Keefe’s translation – 12/14/09

The first line seems to be in Polish.
The second line on…

nata die vigesima Decembris
anno millesimo octingentesimo sexa-
gesimo octavo in Wenecya (sp?)
paroccia Wenecya Archidiocesis
(…) Victoria filia legi-
timatori Martini Wegner et
Dorotheae (….) mari-
torum religionis catholicae bapti-
zata est in ecclesia (Venetensi) die
vigesima secunda Decembris anno
millesimo octingentesimo sexage simo
octavo 1868
in fidem etc. etc.

Translation of the preceding follows.

Born on the 20th of December in the year 1868
in the parish of (Wenecya);
Wenecya of the Archdiocese of (?).
Victoria, daughter of legitimately married
Martin Wegner and Dorothea…
was baptized in the church of (Venetensi)
on the twenty second day of December of 1868.
In faith, etc. etc.

I think the rest is in Polish.
I’m not sure about the stuff in parenthesis – or the spelling!
Hope this helps!

– Chris Keefe

Tags Victoria Wegner