Donor Story: The Keatleys

A story of faithful people using their resources to invest in causes that make a difference today and into the future.

“There Isn’t a Chapel”

One of the first things that Mary Joe Keatley noticed after she and Ivan moved from Tulsa to The Commons in Enid was that there was not a chapel. Her father was a Methodist minister and as she put it, “I was born and reared in a Methodist parsonage.” She was a faithful Methodist all her life and this was important to her. She immediately organized and taught weekly Sunday School Classes for the residents in the Dining Room. Always in the back of her mind she dreamed of a chapel.

Ivan and Joe, as she like to be called, lived most of their married life in Tulsa and attended Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. Ivan was a fighter pilot during World War II and flew 59 missions. After the war he went to work for Sun Oil Company and retired after 34 years.

Joe had a doctorate in psychology and retired after 35 years at Tulsa Public Schools. She served as Director of Psychological and Testing Services. After retirement, she became a wood carver and created some beautiful Native American carvings that are on display.

“I have had the pleasure of working with the Keatley family for over 27 years. Their faithfulness has been inspiring. They have invested in lasting good and that investment will be their legacy.” –David Battles

Establishing a Legacy

Joe first contacted the Foundation in 1994. She and Ivan wanted to inquire about the Foundation serving as successor trustee for their trusts. They had a unique situation; their adopted son, John, was born deaf. They wanted to make sure that their son would be taken care of financially for the rest of his life. The Foundation agreed to serve and a long-term relationship began.

Ivan and Joe established a Charitable Remainder Trust using highly appreciated stock. The trust was established to provide income for three lives. Currently, John is receiving income for his lifetime.

When Ivan and Joe decided to move from Tulsa to Enid, they contributed their home to a Deferred Gift Annuity for John payable for his lifetime.

The Foundation sold the home and had an estate sale for the items that they did not want to take to Enid.

While living at The Commons, Joe noticed a church across the street, Faith Lutheran, was on the market. Joe asked for a tour of the church. After the tour she was convinced this was the answer to her dream. She made a major gift that was matched and the purchase was made. As part of the sales agreement, a lease was signed to allow Faith Lutheran to continue worshiping there. The Ivan Keatley Family Chapel was dedicated on September 15, 2019. Joe died on July 7, 2019 at the age of 99 knowing that her dream of a chapel had come true.

Unfolding Generosity

Ivan and Joe were very generous and supported numerous causes through the Keatley Charitable Fund (Donor Advised Fund) at the Foundation. Upon the passing of John, all remaining trust property including the remainder from both the Charitable Remainder Trust and the Deferred Gift Annuity will be distributed to the Foundation to establish an endowment which will provide grants for the ministries the Foundation supports.