John Lyle Keean, 79, of Rose Hill, Mississippi, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2025.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; son, Lyle Keenan (Tina); daughter, Kate Covich (Sean); brother, Jimmy Keenan (Dianne); sister, Eleanor Sims; grandsons, Jamie Keenan (Stevi) and Keenan Covich; granddaughters, Madison Rogers (Chapman), Kylee Keenan and Kyla Blackwell; niece, Kary Sims; and four great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James B. Keenan and Nancy Huston Keenan; and his daughter, Tina Bonner.

Visitation will be Monday. September 1, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 22 E. 4th Avenue, Bay Springs.   The funeral services will be Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Wesley Independent Methodist Church, 4757 Highway 18, Rose Hill, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 10"45 a.m. with the burial to follow at Twistwood Cemetery, Rose Hill.  The Rev. Chris Williams and Rev. Ronnie Sessions will officiate.  An online guest book may be signed at www.colonialchapelbaysprings.com.

Pallbearers will be Haskins Montgomery, Ricky Ruffin, Rickey Cook, Keith Sims, Kenneth McNeil, Randy Windham, Billy Rayner, Sammy Windham, Tommy Chapman, and his Louisiana deer camp buddies.

Born on January 6, 1946, in Rose Hill, John was a life-long resident of Jasper County.  He attended Rose Hill School until closure then graduated in 1964 from Heidelburg High School. He was employed by La-Z-Boy in Newton prior to starting his law enforcement career as a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.  In 1977, he was hired by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks as a Conservation Officer for the county.  He was promoted to Captain of District IV prior to his retirement in 2010.  In July 2012, John was appointed by the Board of Supervisors as interim Jasper County Sheriff.  He completed his career serving as a bailiff for Circuit Court.

John loved law enforcement and serving the people.  He had a strong sense of community and a passion for helping his fellow man.

He devoted much of his life to the preservation of natural resources and worked in many facets of agriculture including forestry management, raising swine and cattle, and gardening.

John served as Jasper County Director of Pat Harrison Waterway District and was president of Jasper Farm Bureau, Jasper County Soil and Water Commission, Meridian Stockyard Board of Directors, Mississippi Pork Producers, and Heidelberg Academy Athletic Booster Club.  He was a member of Jasper County Forestry Association, Jasper County Livestock Association, Bay Springs Lions Club, and Wesley Independent Methodist Church.

He was a man of integrity, honor, loyalty, knowledge and wisdom as evidenced by the many people who sought him for advice and assistance in personal and professional matters.