July 27, 1925 – July 6, 2013
Edward “Keith” Keesecker passed away peacefully on July 6, 2013 in Albany, Oregon at the age of 87.
Keith was born July 27, 1925 in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma to parents Harriet “Hattie” and Otis Keesecker. He had one brother, Charles Keesecker and a sister, Mary Alice Arehart.
Keith moved with his family to Oregon in 1934 and settled in Marion, Oregon. Keith attended Jefferson schools and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1943 and enlisted in U.S. Navy in July of 1943. He served as an aviation machinist’s mate 1st class in the Asiatic Pacific and received an honorable discharge from the Navy in July of 1946. After the Navy, he graduated from Willamette University in Salem in 1950.
He worked for Moore Business Forms in Salem from 1950-1964.
Keith married Jeanette Gilmour on November 16, 1951 at Talbot Community Church. They had four sons and one daughter.
In 1964, Keith decided to purchase an insurance agency in Sweet Home, Oregon and moved his family to Sweet Home. He owned and worked at Keesecker Insurance until he retired in 1996.
In Sweet Home, Keith was very involved in the Sweet Home Evangelical Church. He was also involved in the Rotary Club and on the board of KWIL for Christ radio. He also loved flying his Beechcraft Bonanza airplane. His passion since the age of 27 was serving his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jeanette passed away July 4, 1995 and Keith married Sherry Steckly in July of 1996. Keith and Sherry enjoyed retirement by traveling and spent several winters in Palm Springs.
Surviving family members include his wife, Sherry Keesecker of Albany, Oregon; son Lynn Keesecker of Nashville, Tennessee; son Kurt Keesecker and his wife Karen of Eagle River, Alaska; son Joel Keesecker and wife Nancy of Sweet Home, Oregon; son Chris Keesecker and his wife Grace of Tualatin, Oregon; daughter Kathleen Rauch and her husband, Rick of Damascus, Oregon; stepson Ed Steckly and wife Cheryl of Lowville, New York; stepdaughter Katherine Neuschwander and her husband Leon of Albany, Oregon; amd stepdaughter Sandra Lyndaker and her husband Larry of Lowville, New York. Keith is survived by his 10 grandchildren, 8 stepgrandchildren, and one step-great-grandson.
A Celebration of Keith’s life will be held on Friday, July 12 at 11:00 am at Sweet Home Evangelical Church, followed by graveside service for family and friends. Viewing will be Thursday, July 11 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.
Memorial contributions can be made to:
Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House, 4600 Evergreen St. SE, Albany, OR 97321; or
Jeremy and Krista Fields C/O CAMA (#204520) P.O. Box 45000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3500 (Serving with Compassion & Mercy Associates in Mongolia).
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.