KEYT, Ross Leon - Putnam

Bedford Times-Press, Wednesday, March 1, 1989

Services for Ross Leon Keyt, 81, Gravity, Iowa, were held February 27 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Dr. Forrest Whitlatch and Rev. James Hickman officiating. Burial was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity. Mr. Keyt died February 22, 1989 at his home in Gravity.

Ross Leon Keyt, son of Josie Dell Call and Morris Keyt, was born near Greencastle in Putnam County, Indiana, March 25, 1907. He lived the first 32 years of his life in Putnam County, Indiana. After graduating from Clinton Center High School, he attended Central Normal College in Danville, Ind. After completing his training at Central Normal, he taught school at Number 7 Clinton Township. For approximately 10 years during the Great Depression he farmed 160 acres using draft horses.

On September 25, 1938, he was united in marriage to Ruth Anna Burk at Bethel Church in Putnam County.

To this union four children were born: Morris Leroy, Stephen Ray, Rachel Josephine, and Robert Wesley.

In 1939 he moved to Tabor, Iowa, where he taught school, and attended the Hepzibah Faith Missionary Association Bible College in training for the ministry. His early ministry included a church at Plattsmouth, Neb., and King's Church near Bartlett.  Ross was first ordained a minister in the Free Methodist Church. He served as pastor of the Free Methodist Church in Shambaugh from 1950 to 1955 during his ministerial training and early ministry, Ross also farmed in the Tabor and Hamburg area. While at Shambaugh he worked at the Berry Seed Company in Clarinda.

After living in Westfield, Ind. for two years, he moved to Gravity in 1957, where he served as a pastor for nearly 31 years. From 1958 to 1965, Reverend Keyt was also pastor of the Oak Hill Christian Church. In 1963 he became formally affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, and remained a minister in good standing with the Church of the Nazarene until his death.

Ross worked for several years at the Clarinda Mental Health Institute and at the Taylor County Care Facility.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Roy, and his three sisters, Mae O'Hair, Zoe Porter, and Oreta Ratcliff.  Left to cherish his memory are: his wife, Ruth Anna; one daughter, Rachel and Chuck Adams of Gibbon, Neb.; and three sons, Leroy and Connie of Hartley, Iowa; Stephen and Donna of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and Robert and Mary of Sioux City.

Nine grandchildren: David Keyt of Clearfield, Utah; Chris Keyt of Peoria, Az.; Kathy Linsley of Ames, Iowa; Dean Keyt of Ames; Annette Beach of Atlanta, Ga.; Tim Keyt of Shalimar, Fla.; Jana Adams of Kearney, Neb.; and Heather and Bryan Keyt of Sioux City; five great grandchildren: Theresa, Andy, Alison, Megan, and Natasha.  Ross had a massive stroke March 3, 1988, from which he never recovered. He died peacefully in his sleep at home.  Ross had a firm set of convictions and, a strong faith in God that guided his life. While he was not afraid to voice his beliefs, he taught more by the way he lived than by the words he preached. In a modest, unpretentious way, in a small town community, he lived the faith in which he believed.  His ministry in Gravity could be described as a ministry to the young. He enjoyed children and young people. He saw the same hope and promise in young people that he saw when he planted his garden of green beans, tomatoes, and melons --- the hope that each one would become a good and useful adult.

Ross saw life clearly and had a great tolerance for the foibles and weaknesses of his fellow man. He visited and comforted people without regard to religious ties. He was concerned with people, without regard to wealth or social station. Whether you were a saint or a sinner, he was a friend.

Ross was a good man. He was a loving husband, a caring father, a man who deeply enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

For we who knew Ross well, we know that he is now enjoying the joys of heaven. We can picture him talking and laughing, possibly showing some young angel just how to bridle a stubborn mule.

But if Ross had one more chance to deliver a sermon, I'm sure it would be this: "Only one life, 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for God will last."