Obituary of Leroy Keyt

Memorial Tribute Morris Leroy Keyt, the son of Ross and Ruth (Burk) Keyt, was born on July 14, 1939, near Greencastle, IN. On September 5, 1939, his family moved to S.W. Iowa where he lived in the Tabor, Hamburg, and Shambaugh areas, attending Clarinda High School for two years. His family then moved to Indiana where he graduated in 1957 from Westfield, IN High School. Leroy attended Clarinda Junior College, graduating with high distinction from Peru State Teachers College in 1961. In later years he did graduate work at Iowa State University, Bucknell University, Wayne State College, and the University of South Dakota. In College he was a reporter for the Clarinda Herald Journal and the Peru Stater, as well as a sports reporter to the Omaha World-Herald, Council Bluffs Nonpareil, and the Des Moines Register. In early 1961 a short story and poem he authored were published in the national Sigma Tau Delta magazine. In 1987 his essay of “Free Speech” was an Iowa State prize winner published in the book “American Voices.” On October 18, 1958, he was united in marriage to Connie Lee Posten at the Free Methodist Church, Gravity, IA. To this union four children were born: David Lynn, Christopher Leroy, Katherine Lee, and Dean Leon. Leroy taught English, Journalism, and Government for 10 years in the Bloomfield, NE, Meridan-Cleghorn, and Hartley High Schools. From 1972 to 1978 he was an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance, after which he operated an independent agency for several years. In 1972 he also began a bookkeeping and tax preparation practice which continued until 2008. In 1979 he became qualified to practice before the IRS. Leroy was interested in coins and antiques. As a dealer he was perhaps best known for his “Birthyear Coin Sets.” He also owned and operated the Hartley Antique Mall from 1993 to 2001. Leroy was a Christian and a member of the Masons and OES for over 35 years. He was raised in Beacon Lodge #495 (Hartley) February 6, 1973, where he served in a variety of offices including Master. More recently he has served in Onyx Lodge #419 (Sanborn), most recently as Senior Warden. He joined Golden Sheaf Chapter #181 (Hartley) in 1973, where he held several offices including Worthy Patron. He also served in Coral Chapter #41 (Sanborn), most recently as chapter secretary. He enjoyed music of all kinds, but especially rock-n-roll, country, and music from the Woodstock era. He loved to travel by auto, visiting Mexico, several provinces in Canada, and 44 of the 48 contiguous United States. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Connie; his children: David (Barbara) Keyt of North Salt Lake, UT, Christopher (Susan) Keyt of Van Meter, IA, Katherine (James) O’Brien of Chandler, AZ, and Dean (Beth) Keyt of Van Meter, IA; nine grandchildren; two brothers: Stephen (Donna) Keyt of Cheyenne, WY and Robert (Mary) Keyt of Tallahassee, FL; a sister: Rachel(Charles) Adams of Gibbon, NE; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Leroy was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Ross Leon Keyt and Ruth Anna Keyt. In Remembrance of Morris Leroy Keyt Born ~ July 14, 1939 Died ~ October 25, 2008 Age ~ 69 years 3 months 11 days Funeral Service 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2008 Hartley Funeral Chapel Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Jeff Filkins Organist ~ Julie Back Soloist ~ Rev. Jeff Filkins “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “How Great Thou Art” Recessional ~ “’Til We Meet Again” Pallbearers Sonny Tewes Jack Beck Mel Norem Steve Buren Eric Rozeboom Steve Armstrong Glenn Veldboom David Sholly Interment Washington Cemetery Gravity, Iowa