Keith Johnson

KEITH ELDON JOHNSON

Tipton

Keith Eldon Johnson, 84, of Tipton, entered eternal rest on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, with his family by his side at Wilton Nursing Home. Family and friends may gather from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, for a time of visitation. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at Tipton Bible Church with interment to follow at Red Oak Cemetery. A memorial fund in Keith's honor has been established. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Keith was born May 13, 1932, in Osceola, Iowa, to George and Nellie (McNichols) Johnson. He attended country schools before graduating from Osceola High School, followed by attendance at Omaha Bible Institute for two years. Keith was united in marriage to the late Donna Proctor on April 19, 1959, in Osceola. They had four children, Priscilla, Lois, Mark and Esther.

Keith's employment years started when he was a young man, working on the family farm with his dad. Keith was also a lineman for Clarke County Telephone before becoming owner/operator of a Skelly fuel truck. He next worked as a bus driver and custodian for Osceola Schools. In 1967, the family moved to Tipton, where he was a custodian for Tipton Community School until retiring in 1996.

Surviving Keith are his children, Priscilla Plate of Goose Creek, S.C., Lois (Alun) Rees of New Paris, Ind., Mark (Susan) Johnson of Tipton and Esther (Kevin) Klotz of DeKalb, Ill.; brother, Darrell (Ann) Johnson of Litchfield, Ill.; sister, Marjorie (Dale) Kruse of Osceola; grandchildren, Abigail, Anna, David Rees and Rachel Plate; aunt, Jean Roth of Des Moines; and special friend, Alberta Thein.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and son-in-law, Bill Plate.