Donald Keith

Donald "Don" Edward Keith, 63, of Wabash, Indiana, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on January 26, 2024 at Parkview Wabash Hospital after a 12 year battle with health struggles. He was born on July 14, 1960 in Peru, Indiana to Donald Keith and Helen Napp Keith.

He married Jane Wertenberger on August 1,1981. In their 42 years of marriage, they had 3 daughters Ashley (Travis) Stangland, Abbey (Christopher) Chalfant, and Allison (Jacob Shaw) Keith and 4 grandchildren that he adored, Claire, Parker, Sadie, and Isaiah. He is also survived by his mother Helen Lewis, sister Lou Ann (Bill) Spry, 2 nephews, sister-in-law Susan (Mike) Brooks, and several cousins.

Don was inducted to the International Union of Operating Engineers on April 29, 1988 and was a member of Local 103 for 35 years. During his tenure with the Operating Engineers, he served as an operator, business agent for the Kokomo office, was the corresponding recording secretary, and a hazmat instructor at the apprenticeship training site. He was also a member of the North Central Building and Trades Council. He retired in 2016 to spend time with his family and bragged about his new role as a Papaw.

Many knew Don as a tough hard working man but those close to him knew that he was a compassionate and generous man. He made many laugh with his wit and a sense of humor. He was also quite the story teller. Family was the most important thing to him and he was the best girl dad and papaw around. He enjoyed spending time at his lake cottage in Michigan, watching sports, taking trips to Gulf Shores with his wife, snowmobiling, and working with his hands. He valued hard work and his family was blessed by his ingenuity, strong-will, and dedication.

Don is preceded in death by his father Don Keith, in-laws Thomas & Barbara Wertenberger, brother-in- law Stan Wertenberger, and his grandparents.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the College Park Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services 4601 South Washington Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46953. A celebration of life will be held at Friends Church, 3563 S. State Road 13, Wabash, IN 46992, (enter door 1) on February 3, 2024 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blessing in a Backpack -Wabash and Habitat for Humanity of Wabash County. Don had a special place in his heart for children often doing things such as paying for overdrawn lunch accounts. He also loved to build and wished in his retirement to have been able to volunteer his time and talents to the Habitat for Humanity.