KEELING
Harold “Boots” Dean Keeling, age 88, of Sinks Grove, WV, passed away Sunday, June 13, 2021 at the Peyton Hospice House in Fairlea, WV.
Born September 2, 1932 at Hinton, WV, he was the son of the late Ross and Mamie Hodges Keeling. Boots was a 1951 graduate of Union High School. He was a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran. Boots worked hard all of his life and was retired from Columbia Gas Company in Chicago, Advance Security, where he was a guard at the Plant in Pickaway, and the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea, and Ripco, where he drove a truck and was a store manager for 14 years.
He was an avid farmer and loved farm life. Boots enjoyed being involved and helping out in his community. He had served as President of the Blue Grass Ruritan Club at Pickaway. He also served as a Board Member of the Monroe County Council on aging. Boots enjoyed the outdoors and going hunting. He was a big fan of baseball, and in his earlier years, he played in the minor leagues, up until he was drafted to serve his Country by Uncle Sam.
Boots loved his family dearly, and he also loved his church family as well. He was a member of the Trinty United Methodist Church at Pickaway, where he was a Lay Leader for the Church. He was also a member of the Union Lighthouse Church of God in Union, where he sang bass in the church choir and was a member of the Church Council.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sarah Keeling Burgess. He was the last of his siblings, and he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ray Keeling and Bill Keeling; and three sisters, Lucille Wallace, Ginger King, and Jean Brown.
Survivors include his loving wife of 41 years, Rosa Lee Keeling of Sinks Grove, WV; six sons, Dannie Keeling of FL, Larry Keeling of FL, Alan Keeling of FL, Rodger Keeling of FL, David Boyce and wife, Charlene of VA, and Chris Boyce and wife, Ann of WA; three daughters, Linda Keeling of Union, Kendra Meadows and husband, David of Sinks Grove, and Renee Mengert and husband, Kenny of Sinks Grove; son-in-law, Victor Burgess of Union; eleven grandchildren, Alicia Hershelman and husband, Chris of PA, Daniel Cox and wife, Nicole of Pickaway, Alexa Preston and husband, Lucas of Second Creek, Kristi O’Dell and fiancé, Lucas Windon of Ronceverte, Gary Bert and wife, Amber of Sinks Grove, Jon Bradley of Sinks Grove, Ben Boyce and wife, Ashley of VA, Isaac Boyce of VA, Heather Mengert of VA, and Robbie Mengert of VA; 21 great-grandchildren, Sarah, Abby, Christopher, Taylor, Cooper, Lydia, Brady, Tanner, Carly, Zayne, Baylee, Hailey, Madilyn, Monroe, Silas, Nicolas, Waylnn, Presley, Harley, Legend, and Sage; many nieces and nephews; and his special cat, Rambo.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2021 at the Union Lighthouse Church of God in Union, WV with Pastor Mike Smith and Pastor Kelly Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Beulah Land Cemetery at the family farm at Sinks Grove, WV, where the West Virginia Honor Guard will conduct Military Graveside Rites. Family will serve as Pallbearers. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 12 noon until time of the service at the Church.
The Family would also like to send a special “thanks” to the Peyton Hospice House Team, Mary Lynn Cross, Nicole Daley, Melissa DePriest, Nicole Bates, and Dr. Pat Ryan.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Boots, to the Peyton Hospice House, 1265 Maplewood Ave., Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Those wishing to send the Keeling Family online condolences or would like to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.groves-mann.com.
Arrangements by Groves-Mann Funeral Home in Union, WV.
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