John Keith, 87, of Montgomery City, formerly of Wellsville, passed away at 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at his home.

No service is planned as the family will hold private services at a later date. Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville is handling the arrangements.

John was born on July 4, 1934, in Wellsville, the son of Elmer and Rilla (Sharp) Keith. On July 7, 1952, in Wellsville, he married Shirley Sue Leach. Mrs. Keith preceded him in death on May 17, 2008.

John grew up in and lived most of his life in Wellsville. He graduated from Wellsville High School in 1952. He worked for Wellsville Firebrick until he retired as shipping supervisor.

John was very active in the community over the years. He had been a member of the Wellsville Jaycees, the Wellsville Athletic Association, he coached youth baseball, basketball, and golf, he is a past president of the Wellsville Library Board, and he had served on the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Wellsville United Methodist Presbyterian Church where he had served on the church board and was a member of the men's club.

He enjoyed fishing (especially for rainbow trout), hunting quail, playing golf, baseball, and playing pool where he played in many pool tournaments.

John is best described as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, who fiercely loved and protected his family.

He is survived by three daughters, Joni Rodgers, of Montgomery City, Janet (Mark) Tellier, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jill (Barry) Leverett, of Middletown; two sisters, Joyce Griswold, of Paris, Mo., and Bonnie (Paul) Arens, of Quincy, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Tim and Jessica Rodgers, of Montgomery City, Mindy and Bill Bishop, of Blue Springs, Mo., Chris and Chasity Rodgers, of Montgomery City, Katie Jones, of Post Falls, Idaho, Keith and Kathryn Mitchell, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, Audrey Mitchell, of Post Falls, Amanda Bolin, Jefferson City, Brian and Laura Leverett, of Fulton, and Josh Leverett, of Middletown; 15 great grandchildren, Henry and Will Jones, of Post Falls, Zakary, Sean, and Tyler Rodgers, of Montgomery City, Malia, Jayson, and Emma Rodgers, of Montgomery City, John and Ben Bishop, of Blue Springs, Edison and George Mitchell, of Coeur D'Alene, Madison Ann Bolin, of Jefferson City, and Ellinor, Brendan, and Zoe Leverett, of Fulton; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; one son, John Wesley Keith; one brother, Jimmy Lee Keith; and one brother-in-law Arthur Griswold.