Gerald Lee Keithley, 80, of Middletown, passed away at 8:45 a.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Keithley was born July 31, 1936, in Martinsburg, Missouri, a son of Palmer Dean and Iota Marie (Moore) Keithley.

Gerald was a 1954 graduate of Mexico High School.

He was married to Myrna Sue Swenson on July 21, 1957 and they were the parents of four children.

On May 30, 1994, in Montgomery City, Missouri, he married Susie Mae (Roden) Wimmer. She survives at the home.

Gerald was employed at the Wellsville Firebrick Company for over 35 years as a kiln loader, retiring at the age of 62. He had also worked for A.P. Green in Mexico for a year.

He had participated in Full Gospel Men's Fellowship.

Gerald was very musically inclined and started playing the clarinet and singing in high school and continued his singing throughout his life. He also played guitar and was in a band.

He loved singing, working outside, mowing grass and cutting firewood.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Susie Mae Keithley, of Middletown; son, Daryl Anthony Keithley and daughter, Marla Kay Keithley, of Las Vegas, Nevada and son, Darrin E. Keithley and wife, Lois, of Springfield; grandson, Anthony Ryan Keithley, of Reno, Nevada; step-son, Jeffery Scott Wimmer and wife, Angie, of Montgomery City; step-grandchildren, Blake Scott Wimmer, Elizabeth Ann "Annie" Wimmer and Kalin Grace Wimmer, of Montgomery City and nephew, Damon E. Carson, of Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Palmer and Marie Keithley and son, Randal Lee Keithley.

Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the Myers Funeral Home in Middletown. Rev. Ed Rhodes officiated.

Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown, Missouri. Serving as pallbearers were Daryl Keithley, Darrin Keithley, Anthony Keithley, Jeff Wimmer, Blake Wimmer and Dennis Birkner. Honorary pallbearers were Leland "Butch" Davis and Mac Lewis.

Visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions were suggested to Birthright in Montgomery City and Shekinah International Ministries c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.

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