Obituary of Walter D. Keely

Coffeyville - Walter Devaughn Keely, 85, of Independence, KS, passed away Saturday, February 5, 2012 at his home. He was born on December 8, 1926 near Oswego, KS to Walter and Ruby (Prigmore) Keely. Walter was the second of ten children. He grew up in rural central Kansas, where he graduated from Atlanta, KS high school in 1945. On June 18, 1947 he married Treva Gayle Johnson at Rock, KS, hiis loving wife of almost 65 year. They were blessed with three daughters. Walt worked with his dad as a carpenter rebuilding after the Udall tornado of 1955. Eventually he acquired a home in this community to prepare for his own family, where they resided for 23 years. The majority of this time was spent working for the Boeing Aircraft Co in Wichita, where he became a tooling inspector. In the late 70's, Walt and Gayle purchased an 80 acre farm near Elk City, KS, where he spent his retirement years gardening, fishing, working, enjoying family, friends, good neighbors and was, as in previous years devoted to his church. In 2010, they left the farm due to his declining health and moved to Independence, KS. Walt was active in the Community Christian Church, were he was baptized at the age of 18 and was a Sunday School Teacher for 55 years, serving as an elder during most of those years. Survivors include his wife Treva Gayle of the home; three daughters, Cherie and husband Jeff Ferguson of Labette, Ks, Danita Collins of Topeka, Ks and Kim Keely of the home; four sisters, Carol Hrabik of Oceanside, CA, Lois Holt of Harper, Ks, Marilyn Schmitt of Columbus, Patricia Harding of Blue Springs, MO, four brothers, Paul Keely of Wichita, Ks, Kenneth Keely of Columbus, Keith Keely of Valley Center, Ks, and Danny Keely of Shell Knob, MO; eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren and his dog Rufus, who will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at the Community Christian Church with Rev. Steve Butler officiating. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Columbus Cemetery at Columbus, KS. Friends may call on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Community Christian Church in Independence. The family suggests memorials to the Harry Hynes Hospice or Community Christian Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337.