Hyde, Keith

Keith Hyde, 84, a resident of Linn Manor Care Center, Marion, completed his earthly journey Thursday, April 18, 2013, and went home quietly in his sleep to be with his Lord and Savior. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Marion Gospel Hall, 755 Grand Ave., Marion, IA 52302, Evangelist Al Christopherson will officiate. A graveside service will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ceres Cemetery, north of Guttenberg on U.S. 52. Evangelist Joel Portman will officiate. The family will greet friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 22, at the Marion Gospel Hall. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Keith was born on a farm near Garber in Clayton County, Iowa, the son of Dale E. and Anita (Lundt) Hyde. He graduated from Colesburg High School. Keith farmed until 1965, when he moved to Cedar Rapids and began working in farm machinery sales. He also worked part-time in sales in the automotive department of Sears Roebuck.

In 1967, Keith was hired by the Iowa Department of Transportation. He described his work for the department as “saltshaker mechanic,” referring to the sand and salt trucks he helped keep running for some 33 years. Keith served in the Army of the United States from 1954-1956 in the occupation of Germany. While in Europe he traveled in England and Ireland, visiting Gospel assemblies.

Keith was involved in various ways with the construction and maintenance operations of Linn Manor Care Center since it was established in 1979, and he frequently contributed his mechanical skills there both before and following his retirement. Keith enjoyed restoring old tractors and Volkswagen autos as a hobby.

After hearing the Gospel for a number of years, Keith trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior through the truth of John 3:16. Keith supported Gospel work in numerous ways, and with a welcoming smile he handed out hymnbooks and kept chairs arranged at the Gospel Hall in Marion for many years. He nearly always had a few Gospel tracts in his pocket to share.

Keith is survived by sisters, Faye (Gordon) Strayer of Coralville and Julia (Darrell) Ardoin of Vienna, Va.; brothers, Merle (Flo) Hyde of Henderson, Nev., and Robert (Joyce) Hyde of Guttenberg; nieces, Hilary Strayer (Peter Nothnagle) of Iowa City and Nicole Ardoin (Greg Hawkins) of Stanford, Calif.; nephews, Scott Strayer, Richard Hyde, Tom (Melissa) Hyde and Chip Hyde; great-nieces, Kiley Hyde, Tiffany Hyde, Carlie Hyde, Brooke Hyde and Rainey Hawkins; and great-nephew, Alex Hyde.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Anita.

Memorials may be directed to Linn Manor Care Center.

Published April 21, 2013 in The Gazette