John Elmer Keith, age 77, recently of Mount Shasta, Calif., passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2015, after a long illness.

John was born in rural Adams County, Iowa to Elmer Hugh and Georgia Clares (Gillett-Keith) on June 25, 1938. He attended one room elementary schools and graduated from Corning Iowa High School. After graduation, he moved to La Crescenta, California, to be near his family. He spent two years in the Army. After returning, he went to work in the General Motors Parts Plant in Van Nuys, California, and later for Newhall California Water Company until his retirement from the company.

John married Joudie Canale and they resided in Newhall, California. He later married Anita Walkup, also of Newhall, California. In 2010, they moved to Oregon, finally settling in Grants Pass. As his health declined, they moved to Mount Shasta, California, to live with his step son Allen Bricker and family, where he resided until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Anita; three step children, Kathy, Debbie, Allen; one sister, Leona Hiley of Klamath Falls, Oregon; one nephew, Rex Keith and family of Simi Valley, California; three nieces, Elaine (Steve) Chase of White Salmon, Washington, Janice (Lon) Casebeer of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Brenda Mc Farland of Texas; numerous step grandchildren, and a host of their family members and their friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Russell, Howard, Percy (Tiny) and infant Dean.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 23287 North Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA 91321 (661) 259-0800.