Keith Darrell Newell

Keith Darrell Newell, 74, died of natural causes at his home in Waukegan, IL on November 19, 2025.  He was a biological researcher at Abbott Laboratories Diagnostics Division in the Chicago region until he retired in 2006.  He was born February 25, 1951, in Terre Haute, IN to Robert H. Newell and Mae L. (Driver) Newell.  He is survived by his younger twin brother, Dr. K. David Newell and wife, Mary (Lawrence, KS), his older sister, Dr. Joyce K. Byrer and husband, James (Bloomington, IN), and by their daughter, Suzanne Tidrow, husband, Patrick and their three children (Greenwood, IN).  He was preceded in death by his parents.  In his youth, Keith was involved in neighborhood activities, Little League, and Boy Scouts.  Keith attended Sipp Grade School in Peoria, IL and Otter Creek Junior High School in Terre Haute, IN.  He graduated from University Laboratory High School (State High) in Terre Haute in 1969, lettering in baseball.  He earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in biology from Indiana State University.  Keith toiled at Burger Chef during high school, and then held student positions at ISU.  In ’72, he enjoyed summer employment at Silver Bay YMCA Conference & Family Retreat Center on Lake George, NY.  In the late ‘70s he worked in agricultural research at the University of California - Davis and then obtained an M.S. Degree in biochemistry at the University of Kentucky.  He was involved in drug development for start-up medical companies in Albuquerque, NM in the early ‘80s, and then worked with statistical verification of drug efficacy for Abbott Laboratories.  After retirement, he enjoyed fishing with his brother-in-law James, gardening in his yard, working for his neighborhood HOA, and buying and selling items on the internet.  Keith was a lifelong bachelor, with no children.  He was pleased with his own company and that of his pets, such as his cockatiel “Chirpy” who flew into his backyard one summer and decided that Keith would be its new owner.  Keith’s mortal remains will be cremated, with ashes buried in Roselawn Memorial Park in north Terre Haute.  There will be no services.  His family requests that any memorial gifts be given to the donor’s local Animal Shelter or Humane Society.  Arrangements entrusted to Sambrano Funeral & Cremation, Gurnee, IL. You may sign the online guestbook at LauraSambranoFunerals.com; 847-571-7719.

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