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 US Navy in July of 1943. He served as Aviation Machinist 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 to 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 he 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 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; stepdaughter, Sandra Lyndaker and her husband Larry of Lowville, New York. Keith is survived by his ten grandchildren, eight step grandchildren, and one step great grandson.

A viewing will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 11, 2013 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A celebration of Keith’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 12, at Sweet Home Evangelical Church, followed by graveside service for family and friends.

Memorial Contributions can be made to: Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House, 4600 Evergreen St SE, Albany, OR 97321; and Jeremy and Krista Fields C/O CAMA (#204520), P.O. Box 45000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3500 (serving with Compassion & Mercy Associates in Mongolia).

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.