Joe Ben Keith, 93, of Buhler, Kansas, went home to be with the Lord on June 9, 2023, surrounded by his family at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas. Joe was born on the family farm outside of Goodson in Polk County, Missouri, on December 24, 1929, to James Henry (Jim) and Jennie Jones Keith. After his mother died, he was raised by his father, his beloved step-mother Mabel (DeGraffenreid Haralson) Keith, and his older sisters. He went to Goodson Grade School and Halfway High School, then graduated from Bolivar High School in 1948. Joe married Leita Mae Locke on June 18, 1950; they would have celebrated their 73rd anniversary this week. Joe and Leita lived in Bolivar and Springfield and on farms around Polk County, raising their six children. They were members of Second Baptist (now Southern Hills) Church. In 1963 they moved to North Kansas City, Missouri, where Joe worked for Consumers Co-op of America (Farmland Industries). In 1968 they moved to Waco, Texas, and in 1973 they moved to Aurora, Colorado. Joe served as a deacon in three Baptist churches over the years. He retired from Farmland Industries in 1990.
As a young man Joe worked on threshing crews, on the family farms, and in Keith Turkey Hatchery. Over the years when mail arrived or phone calls came to Joseph Benjamin Keith, Joe knew it was junk mail or advertising calls, as his full name was Joe Ben Keith. The Keiths have a large extended family and Joe always loved having a baby in his arms—he was the baby whisperer.
In retirement Joe and Leita enjoyed traveling (the U.S., Canada, Europe, Mexico) and visiting family and friends, developing communities of friends and helping in business ventures. They moved back to the Bolivar area in 1991, to Buhler, Kansas in 2000, and to Lake Vallecito Colorado in 2005. In 2008 they began wintering in Yuma, Arizona, and for the last many years had homes in Yuma and Buhler. They have resided at Buhler’s Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community since 2009.
Joe is survived by his wife Leita Mae, their 6 children, 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. The children are Kathren Jaeger (Robert) of Berlin, New York, Gary Keith of Austin, Texas, Karen Stevens (Bob) of Farmington, New Mexico, Donald Keith (Talva) of Tyler, Texas, Ronald Keith (Patti) of Collinsville, Texas, and J.C. Keith (Liz) of Buhler, Kansas.
The grandchildren are Christina (Tom) Lee, Tammy Jaeger, Gabe Keith, David Keith, Melissa (Grant) Maxey, Jennifer (Dale) Hagstrom, Michael (Kristi) Carney, Mary Lynne (Robbie) Jones, Sarah Orem, Joanna (Marvin) Hicks, and Rachel (Josh) Neiman. Joe is also survived by sisters Barbara Voris of Walnut Grove, Missouri, and Lena Kentz of St. Charles, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents, 9 siblings (Ruth, Frances, Robert, David, Charlene, Jane, Dora, Ella Mae, and Paul), and grandson Matthew Keith.
In lieu of flowers any donation may be made in Joe’s name to Sunshine Meadows Building Fund 400 S. Buhler Rd., Buhler, KS 67522.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Pitts Chapel. Funeral services will take place Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Pastor Roy Jaye officiating. Burial will follow at Payne Cemetery Polk, MO. Online condolences may be made at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.