Ervin Eugene Keith

Ervin Eugene Keith, 66, El Dorado Springs, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Springfield, following a lengthy illness. He was born on March 26, 1944, in Stockton, to Finis Charles Keith and Haleane Louise Scholler Keith.

He married Sharon Pitts in 2000 and she preceded him in death in 2004.

Ervin grew up in Foster and attended the Foster and Rich Hill Schools. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1961-1964 stationed in the Philippines and Viet Nam.

Ervin worked as a truck driver his whole life and worked for various trucking companies out of Joplin.

He lived in Vernon County for eight years from 1968-1976, then in Joplin, for over 20 years. He had lived in El Dorado Springs, for the past nine years. He was a member of the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Finis Keith and Halene Grinner Keith; two brothers, Frank Keith and LeRoy Keith, and four sisters - Mary Bishop, Maxine Baker, Mildred Clemmons and Jean Williams.

Survivors include five children - Roy Lee Keith - El Dorado Springs, Tabitha Keith, Jennette Fields, Sabrina Keith and Ervin Keith, Jr. - all of Joplin; 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; four brothers - Clyde Keith - Lowry City, Fred Bishop - Nevada, James Bishop - Joplin and Kenneth Bishop - Woodburn, OR; and two sisters, Frieda Burrows - Muskogee, OK, and Nancy Dirks - Alba.

Memorial services with Military Rites will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Rev. Carl Covey officiating. A private com-mittal service will be held at a later date. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society.