Leland F. Keith

(1938-2005)

Leland F. Keith, 66, of Havana, IL died at 1:35 p.m. on April 14, 2005 at Mason District Hospital in Havana. He was born in Mason County on July 13, 1938 to Fred and Octavia (Lowers) Keith. He married Francie Hills on November 19, 1986 in El Paso, Texas.

Leland is survived by his wife Francie, of Havana. He is also survived by 2 sons: Davin (Susan) Keith of Fredericksburg, VA and Mike Keith of Greenville, South Carolina; 1 step-son Brandon (Charlett) Smith of Havana; 2 daughters: Ann Keith of Havana, and Jan Keith of DuBois, Wyoming; 2 step daughters: Amy (Dave) Chambers of Dunlap, IL and Laura Smith of Springfield, IL; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Leland has one brother, Gerry (Laura) Keith of Fort Worth, Texas and one sister Helen (Bob) Sarff of Havana, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Leland was the Chief Deputy of the Mason County Sheriff's Department until his retirement in 2001. He was an avid wildlife wood carver and was a maker of the Graveyard Wild Game Calls. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Havana.

Visitation will be at the Hurley Funeral Home in Havana on Monday, April 18, 2005 from 5 to 8 p.m. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at his church with Rev. Robert Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana.

Memorials may be made to his church or to Mason District Hospital.