Arthur Keister

Arthur Nicholas Keister, 60, and Pamela Sue Keister, 57, of rural Albion in Green Township, died Wednesday evening at State Roads 40 and 60 near Jones, Michigan, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Mr. Keister was born on December 1, 1947 in Wolf Lake, a son of Arthur L. and Betty (Brackney) Keister. He spent his formative years in Noble Township, and graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1966. As a young man he served in Vietnam with the U. S. Army, and was awarded the Purple Heart. Mrs. Keister was born on June 17, 1951 in Huntington, a daughter of Floyd and Waneta (Kennedy) Brown, and spent her formative years near Mount Etna. She graduated from Huntington North High School in 1969, earned her bachelor's degree from Taylor University in 1973, and received her master's degree from IPFW. As a young woman she was employed as an elementary teacher at the Wolf Lake Elementary School. On February 5, 1977 the couple were married in Merriam, and lived all of their married lives in Noble County. In recent years they both operated a small produce farm in Green Township. Mr. Keister had been employed at BAE Systems in Fort Wayne for 38 years, retiring from there in 2005. He was a member and deacon of the Merriam Christian Chapel, and was an AWANA leader. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing and playing basketball, and most especially loved his family, his church, and his Lord. A member and deaconess of the Merriam Christian Chapel, Mrs. Keister was also a member of the church's Sarah's Circle, and was an AWANA leader. She enjoyed cooking, and most importantly loved her family, her church, and her Lord. The couple are survived by their children Dr. Jennifer (Michael) Lortie of Kimmell, and David N. (Lindsay) Keister of Wolcottville. Also surviving Mr. Keister are his parents Arthur L. and Betty Keister of Albion; a twin sister Jane (Harold) Weaver of Albion; a brother Dan (Mary) Keister of Albion; his in-laws Floyd and Waneta Brown of Warren; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Keister is also survived by her parents Floyd and Waneta Brown of Warren; a sister Karen Brown of Roanoke; two brothers Terrill (Teresa) Brown of Pierceton, and Steve (Jayne) Brown of Cortland, Ohio; her in-laws Arthur L. and Betty Keister of Albion; and several nieces and nephews. Joint funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Keister will be held at 11 a. m. Tuesday, August 26, at the Merriam Christian Chapel, with Pastor Terry L. Zolman, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church multi-purpose room on Monday from 2 to 8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Merriam Christian Chapel, 3985 South U. S. 33, Albion, IN 46701; or Gideon's International, P. O. Box 863, Kendallville, IN 46755 ******************************* To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. and Mrs. Keister's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .