West Liberty, Iowa Vernon Keith, 76, passed away Sunday evening June 29, 2008 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City surrounded by his family after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday July 3, 2008 at the West Liberty United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 to 8 P.M. at the United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, West Liberty. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church or to Iowa City Hospice. Vernon was born August 14, 1931 in Clinton, Iowa the son of John and Elsie Keith of Calamus. He attended Calamus grade school and then graduated from DeWitt High School in 1950. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served 4 years, stationed in San Antonio, Texas then to Newfoundland and back to South Carolina. Following his discharge from the Air Force he then attended Michigan State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil Science in 1960. His 30 year career with Walnut Grove Products ended when he retired in 1991 at the West Liberty plant where he was the plant manager. He had also been the plant manager in Independence, Iowa for 5 years. On May 16, 1955 he married Ernestine Travis from Dayton, Tennessee. Vernon was very active in his community and church for over 40 years. He loved doing volunteer work and served on the West Liberty School District, School Board for 21 years and as president for 12 years. He also was a board member on the community Action of Eastern Iowa (TRAIN), Families, Inc. of West Branch, Golden Years Housing of West Liberty for 14 years, the Atalissa / West Liberty United Way, and the West Liberty School Foundation. He could also be found driving the Transportation Bus for Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty for the past 7 years. He was a volunteer at the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce for many years. He was a member of the American Legion, past member of the Lion's Club and Rotary, and the United Methodist Church and the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by his wife Ernestine Keith of West Liberty and three children, Valerie and Pat Congdon of rural Atalissa, Laurie and Kurt Heckman of West Liberty and Brian Keith of Sacramento, California. 4 grandsons and one granddaughter: Ryan and Marcus Davis of Wayland, Iowa and Joshua and Travis Shilz and Mikayla Heckman of West Liberty. Two brothers: Donald and Evelyn Keith and Derwood and Arlene Keith all of West Liberty. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, step grand children and great grand children. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Elsie Keith.