John Keith

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- John "Leo" Keith, 78, of Marble Hill died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005, at Elder Care of Marble Hill.

He was born May 26, 1927, in Black, Mo., son of Andrew Jackson and Margaret Bernettie Nelson Keith. He and Irene Sutton were married June 7, 1947, at Ironton, Mo.

Keith worked for Black River Electric Co. for 37-1/2 years. He was a former mayor of Marble Hill and served on the Town Board. He was a reserve deputy sheriff for 33 years, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Lions Club, a Mason and a member of the Hahn Chapel General Baptist Church.

Keith served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Melvin Keith of Leopold, Mo., Randy Keith and David Keith, both of Glenallen, Mo.; a daughter, Brenda Rhodes of Glenallen; a brother, Edward Keith of Bismarck, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, an infant daughter, three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Rev. Gerald Huff will officiate, with burial in Huff Cemetery near Glover, Mo.