Keeton, Elmer Joseph "Joe" Jr. 1947-2023

KEETON, SCOTT, PHIPPS, WOHLERS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/21/2023 at 16:12:54

Elmer Joseph "Joe" Keeton
February 28, 1947 ~ March 7, 2023 (age 76)
Please note new service date:

Elmer Joseph “Joe” Keeton, Jr. of Newton, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, March 7,
2023, at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in Destin, Florida.

Joe was born on February 28, 1947 in Oskaloosa to Edith (Scott) and Elmer Joseph
Keeton, Sr. Joe grew up in Lovilia working at his dads filling station and was a 1965
graduate of Albia High School. Joe enlisted in the U.S Army in May of 1966. Upon completion of basic training, he returned to Lovilia to marry his high school sweetheart, Donna Phipps. They were united in marriage on July 24, 1966 and enjoyed 45 years of raising their three sons and spoiling their grandchildren.

Joe proudly served his country from 1966-1969. His military experience in communications, while stationed in Korea, paved the way to a 40 year career in Database Management with various telephone companies, including Iowa Telecom
where he would retire from in 2010. He was also a member of the Lovilia American Legion Post #0613. He was a member of the Independent Bible Church of Bussey until moving to O’Fallon, Missouri in 1992, where he was reunited with Pastor Bruce Chulka,
formally the pastor in Bussey. In 2000, the opportunity arose to move back to Iowa
where he enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, and spending more time with family. In
recent years, Joe was well known around town for leaving $2 bills as a tip when eating
out. A special friendship was forged with the Fab Four; Lana Wohlers, Denise, and Allen
when they began traveling to numerous places, including their annual trip to Florida every March. Joe also enjoyed breakfast with the Rat Pack on the first Tuesday of each month.

Joe is survived by his three sons, Mark (Lisa) Keeton of Albia, Brian (LaNita) Keeton of
Newton, and David (Dana) Keeton of Liberty, Missouri; his adoring grandchildren
Deanna (Tony) and Aaron Keeton, Jonah (Ashlee), Tessa and Jaxon Keeton, and
Gannon, Connor, and Dinnah Keeton; his great-grandchildren Ivy, William, and Behron;
and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Donna Keeton; daughter Kelly Jo Keeton; a still born son; parents Elmer Keeton and Edith Blomgren; his brother, Dennis Keeton; and in-laws Hilbert and Joy Phipps.

A memorial service will be held in his honor at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023
at Grace Church where he attended in Newton, Iowa. The service will also be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page. The family will greet friends after the service with a luncheon at the church. Memorials may be left at the church or with the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elmer Joseph "Joe" Keeton, please visit our floral store.

Services
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday
April 22, 2023
11:00 AM
Grace Church (Newton, Iowa)
Send Flowers to Elmer Joseph "Joe" Keeton's Memorial Service
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VISITATION
Saturday
April 22, 2023
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Grace Church (Newton, Iowa)
Send Flowers to Elmer Joseph "Joe" Keeton's Visitation
Guaranteed delivery before the Visitation begins ~ The Wallace Family Funeral Home, Newton, Iowa 07 Mar 2023.