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Glenn Gordon Keith

June 5, 1939 - March 8, 2022
Kalamazoo, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, March 30, 2022
11:00 AM EDT
Red Arrow Ministries
31133 Red Arrow Highway
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Map

Service

Wednesday, March 30, 2022
11:30 AM EDT
Red Arrow Ministries
31133 Red Arrow Highway
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Map

Burial

Wednesday, March 30, 2022
1:30 PM EDT
Fort Custer National Cemetery
15501 DIckman Rd
Augusta, MI 49012
(269) 731-4164
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Red Arrow Ministries
31133 E Red Arrow Hwy
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-5679
Web Site

Paw Paw Conservation Club
56222 30th St
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-8949
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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By 1939, Americans were beginning to hope again as the U.S. began to slowly emerge from the Great Depression. “God Bless America” was introduced, and moviegoers enjoyed the premieres of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and “Gone with the Wind.” Yet in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, Glenn and Grethel (Wilson) Keith found much to be thankful for when on June 5, 1939, they welcomed the birth of their first child, Glenn Gordon Keith, into their hearts and home.

The oldest of eventually eight children, Glenn was affectionately known as “Butch” to those in his family. His parents worked hard to support their large household, and although Glenn learned early on the value of hard work, he enjoyed a childhood typical of the times. They eventually moved to Lawton, Michigan, and Glenn graduated from Lawton High School. In 1958, while attending Van Buren Youth Leadership Camp, he met the young woman with whom he would share the rest of his days, Marilyn. She loved Glenn’s vibrant and genuine personality and the two hit it off from the moment they met.

Following high school, Glenn went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Army in Germany. Upon his discharge, he returned home to marry his sweetheart, Marilyn, in 1962. With the United States’ inevitable involvement in the Vietnam War, Glenn was soon called back into the Army reserve. He later became a proud member of the American Legion and Auxiliary Joseph B. Westnedge Post 36 in Kalamazoo.

Children soon blessed their lives when their son, Greg, was born followed by their daughter, Kristine. In time they made their home in the Kalamazoo area where they raised their family. When it came to their children, Glenn was the best dad. They respected their father and valued his opinion. He taught them to make good, sound decisions and to think things through. Camping, hiking, or skiing throughout Michigan were their favorite yearly vacation adventures.

Grandchildren came next. Jenna, his beloved granddaughter, left us too soon. He loved attending her swim meets, listening to her play the piano and harp and always teasing her over their special joke regarding “Sunny D” orange juice. Zachary follows in his footsteps with his love of the outdoors. They spent many times camping in the woods as well as on Manitou Island and Isle Royale. Jacob, his techie, fixed his iPhone, iPad and his music and would start all over each time he came to visit. Ellery, Elizabeth and Emily, the youngest, brought new love and joy with their hugs, singing, dancing and just being silly with him. He dearly loved them all.

A good provider, Glenn worked in sales at Meyer Laboratories, now known as GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. His territory was in southern Michigan, which enabled him to be home each evening. While his sales work was often challenging, he studied hard to familiarize himself with the arrival of new products. He possessed a strong work ethic for success which served as an example not only for his children but to his colleagues as well. His favorite saying continues to resonate to anyone who knew him. “Keep up your PMA!” Glenn firmly believed everything was centered on keeping a positive mental attitude whenever possible.

For a good portion of his life, Glenn was very athletic. He ran, mainly 5ks and 10ks, and was quite proud to have finished a marathon. Biking was another hobby Glenn enjoyed. For over ten years he participated with The Whiners Bicycle Club in RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. They’d start by dipping their back tire in the Missouri River, biked 500 miles across the state, and ended with their front tire in the Mississippi River, riding a different route each year.

Glenn was a member of the Paw Paw Conservation Club. Although he greatly enjoyed trap shooting, he never considered himself a hunter. He simply just loved being in the woods. He and a group of friends often camped and hiked together over the years, enjoying Isle Royale and Beaver Island.

Glenn and Marilyn enjoyed a life of family, fun, and travel. Dining out, movies, or just visiting with friends was a common night out. They absolutely loved traveling together, having been to numerous countries, their favorites being Australia, Scotland, and Ireland. Their trip to Normandy was very special to him. After retiring, they spent the last 12 years wintering in Venice, Florida where they made many dear friends.

Glenn was a history buff, particularly Civil War and World War II history and he belonged to the Civil War Round Table in Kalamazoo. He was an avid reader of non-fiction and enjoyed reading books about WWII and biographies of famous historical figures.

Glenn was blessed to share the friendships of many new and old friends. He was in a group of friends who called themselves, “The Old Farts Boating Club.” Three years in a row, they hiked down and camped at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Every year they would take a trip somewhere of interest to all of them. In their later years, they became, “The Old Farts Lunch Club,” meeting each week at a different restaurant. He so valued these special friends and considered them especially close.

In the heart of Glenn Keith, there was no greater joy than the love of family. With quiet strength, he was an encouraging and caring man, and his positive nature was always a welcome addition to everyone he encountered. Glenn never met a stranger and could easily strike up a conversation with anyone. Simply content in being a good provider for those entrusted to his care, Glenn was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be missed.

Glenn Gordon Keith, age 82, of Kalamazoo, died on March 8, 2022. Glenn was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann Corts; his brother, Robert Keith; and his beloved granddaughter, Jenna Nichole Keith. Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; children: Greg (Laura) Keith and Kristine Koehne; grandchildren: Ellery, Elizabeth, and Emily Keith, Zachary and Jacob Koehne; siblings: Bill (Maxine) Keith, Jean Morrison, Katherine Keith, Joan Burke, and Donna Keith; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Wednesday (MAR 30) 11 AM with a service beginning at 11:30 AM at Red Arrow Ministries, 31133 E. Red Arrow Hwy, Paw Paw. Burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visit Glenn’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Paw Paw Conservation Club or Red Arrow Ministries Church. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900.

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