A Celebration of Life Service for James "Jim" D. Keith, 70, of Litchfield, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, beginning at 1 p.m. at the New Hope Baptist Church in Litchfield. The Rev. Roy Eller will be officiating.
Friends may call Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. A private graveside service will be held at the Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Honey Bend. Memorials can be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis.
Mr. Keith died Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at 8:28 a.m. in his home. He was born April 8, 1949 in Hillsboro, the son of James R. and Ada B. (Kershaw) Keith. He graduated from the Hillsboro High School with the class of 1967. After graduation, he was employed as an offsett pressman and typesetter for the House Of Sunshine in Litchfield, where he met his wife, Sandra "Sandy" Parnell. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 1968, in the First Baptist Church of Litchfield.
He served two years in the U.S. Army and graduated from basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, in April 1969. He was then stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky serving as an offset pressman, printing military books and documents until being discharged in 1971.
He then was employed 43 years as a pressman and typesetter for the Litchfield News-Herald until his retirement April 2014.
Mr. Keith had been a member of First Baptist Church of Litchfield since 1971 serving as a preschool and children's Sunday School teacher. In 2016, he moved his church membership to the New Hope Baptist Church of Litchfield.
He was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs and win or loose, remained a faithful fan. During baseball season, one would always hear him saying "Go Cubs, Go!" In his earlier years, he coached his son's T-ball and Little League teams. He enjoyed going to his grandchildren's school and sports activities and taking them on road trips in the Summer. He loved spending time with family and friends and especially taking road trips with friends.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra K. Keith; a son, Christopher James Keith; daughter-in-law, Stacey L. Keith; grandchildren, Brentleigh Elyse Keith and Brody James Keith, all of Alton; sister, Janice (husband Doug)Gorsage of Maryville; mother-in-law, Margie Parnell of Litchfield; brother-in-law, Allen Parnell of Warrensburg; sisters-in-law, Tina Keith of Denver, CO, Donna (husband Tim) Price of Staunton; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceeding him in death were his parents, James R. and Ada B. Keith, grandparents, John S. and Agnes R. Keith, and Leroy and Minnie Kershaw; brother, Terry L. Keith; father-in-law, Donald Parnell; sister-in-law, Patsy Parnell; and a great-niece, Allison Gorsage.
Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To light a virtual candle or sign the online guest book, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
