Keith Howard

KEITH CLARKE HOWARD

West Branch

Keith Clarke Howard, 85, passed away suddenly Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at Mercy Iowa City.

A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch. Memorial visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where a Masonic service will be at 7 p.m.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarker

funeralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital.

Keith Clarke Howard was born June 11, 1930, in Cedar County, Iowa, the son of Russell and Nola (Achenbach) Howard. He attended country school through the 8th grade and attended West Branch High School, where he met the love of his life, Vivian, graduating in 1948.

Keith was a hard worker and held many jobs – truck driver, electrician, farmer, mechanic and business owner. He spent much of his retirement years rebuilding tractors and taking them to parades. He was a great father and loved kids. He worked with the Boy Scouts and was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shrine.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian of West Branch; five children, David (Linda) Howard of Galena, Ill., and their children, Fiona, John (Brenda), Bronwyn (Eric), Gillian (Jess) and Kierra; Duane (Joyce) Howard of Ames, and their children, Brian (Melani) and Laura (Tyler); Dean (Barb) Howard of DeSoto, Iowa, and their children, Chris (Stephanie), Kari (Scott), Jeff (Jodi) and Nikki; Dale (Donna) Howard of Clive, and their children, Justin (Alexis) and Emily (Kyle); Diane (Kathy) Howard of Byrdstown, Tenn.; 17 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rosemary Wertzbaugher.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Shirley Palmer.