Keith Howard, 95, a resident of Great Bend Brookdale Assisted Living at time of death, but lifelong resident in western Reno County near Sylvia, Kansas, passed away on October 6, 2023. He was born on February 21, 1928, north of Sylvia, Kansas, to Paul and Blanche Howard.
Keith graduated from Sylvia High School. After graduating, Keith attended McPherson College and Fort Hays State College for one year each. He played basketball at McPherson College and was on the practice team of the Fort Hays State football team.
He then joined the Navy for four years and was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. While in the service he served as a clerk in the office of the Destroyer Division Commander on the destroyer Allen M. Sumner.
Once back in Kansas, he married Josephine Adella Cowgill (Adella, to all) also from Sylvia, on December 25, 1956, in Hutchinson, Kansas. They enjoyed being married for nearly 63 years. After returning home from the Navy, Keith worked in the oil field as a driller at night and a farmer by day. He and Adella farmed together in the Sylvia area for nearly 57 years.
Besides farming, Keith enjoyed hunting, playing 10-point pitch and dominos, and watching KU basketball and K-State football games. He and Adella looked forward to attending the National Junior College Basketball tournament in Hutchinson each year. They also attended church at Pleasant Hill Church of the Nazarene in Sylvia and First Nazarene Church in Hutchinson. He loved getting together with family to enjoy a good, home-cooked meal followed by some games.
Keith is survived by his four children, Michel (Rhett) Jahelka of Little Mountain, SC; Melanie (Bryan)Mosier of Ellinwood, KS; Lindy (Jaime) Howard of Alden, KS; and Shane (Crissy) Howard of Denton, TX. Also surviving are his 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Preceding Keith in death are his wife, Adella; parents, Paul and Blanche Howard; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Twila (Fred) Yoder and Pauline (Clarence) Huffman; and a grandson, Nathan Daniel Franco. Memorial service will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Pleasant Hill Church of the Nazarene, Sylvia, with Pastor Steve Gill officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Gentiva Hospice in care of Minnis Chapel, P. O. Box 246,Ellinwood, KS 67526.