Carter Austin Keith

Carter Austin Keith was born September 26, 1924, at Kansas City, Kansas. He was the son of William Earl and Oda M. (Boyd) Keith. At a young age, Carter moved from Kansas City to the Pomona and Ottawa, Franklin County areas, where he made his home until his death Saturday, March 9, 2002, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was employed as a mechanic for Robertson Ford, Ottawa, in the 1960's. He also worked for Penny's Ready Mix, Ottawa; Ottawa Coop Tire Shop; Ottawa Ready Mix; and, Mo-Kan Ready Mix, Olathe, retiring in 1986. Carter served in the United States Army from November 10, 1941, to October 15, 1945, with the 165th Field Artillery Battalion during World War II. He was a former member of Calvary Baptist Church, Ottawa, where he drove the Sunday School bus in the late 1970's. An expert mechanic, he loved to work on cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed the outdoors and liked to go fishing and also liked to travel. Carter was a people-person who loved doing things for people, always ready to help in any way he was needed, and loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. On July 9, 1956, Carter was united in marriage with Beulah I. Armstrong at Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on October 7, 1990. Also, preceding him in death are his parents; two brothers, William C. Keith, Virgil E. Keith; and, two sisters, Grace E. Marler and Vivian L. Duckworth. He is survived by his son, Dan Keith and his wife, Cindy, of Pomona; three daughters, Thelma L. Kothenbuetel of Creve Coeur, Illinois, Vivian L. Katt of Phoenix, Arizona, Georgann E. Moore of Peoria, Illinois; brother, Robert G. Keith of Torrington, Wyoming; two sisters, Virginia L. Nelson of Phoeniz, Arizona, Wilma J. Straub of Versailles, Missouri; and, twenty-one grandchildren and great-grandchildren. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2002. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Willliam Weber and Pastor Steven Iwersen. IN STATE: Mr. Keith will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5:00 Tuesday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Wednesday evening. CEMETERY: Pleasant Hill Cemetery, west of Centropolis. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Church of the Nazarene Building Fund, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.