Clinton Dwayne Keeler

A little red headed baby boy was born December 4, 1947 to parents Elsworth Carroll and Bertha Irene Keeler of Clarinda, Iowa. They named this little red headed boy, Clinton Dwayne Keeler and he joined 6 siblings.
A few years later the family moved to the little town called Gravity, Iowa, where he began attending grade school, shortly thereafter his classmates started nicknaming him Red. It was through Junior High in Conway, Iowa that his classmates there started calling him by his middle name, Dwayne, but his buddies in Gravity, Rick Smith, Johnnie Lesker, Larry Ridnour, Danny Lock and Leroy Rydner that he grew up with and went to school with all called him-still to this day - Red. Also, growing up in Gravity and going to school with Dwayne was Rick Smith's sister, Donna. She recalls back to a day when she saw Dwayne for the very first time, she was sitting out in the porch swing when he came walking up the road looking for his buddy, Rick. Just out of the blue, she heard herself say: "I'm going to marry that boy one day!"
That one day came, Dwayne married his Hometown Sweetheart, Donna on January 6, 1968 by Rev. Dwight Crosby in Clarinda where the two had made their home. Dwayne (she always called him) started working there for Richard Stipes Lumber Co. Shortly thereafter the United States Armed Forces were drafting men full force. To avoid this, he volunteered to join the Military where he had the option to choose what Branch of Service he wanted to serve, so he chose the Branch of the United States Air Force. On May 22, 1968 he was sent to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for training. On July 21, his daughter, Vicki was born. In August, Dwayne returned home to see his new baby daughter for the first time, then for a brief time home, Dwayne was transferred to Lubick, Texas at Reese Air Force Base where they moved and made their home until July of 1969. Dwayne received Orders for active-duty September 6, 1969 for Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base, Vietnam. After serving one year, Dwayne was sent back home to see his new 8 month old baby daughter, Diana for the first time, next he was assigned to Offut Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, where he, his wife and two daughters would live until his discharge from the Military. Sergeant Clinton Dwayne Keeler received the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service as a Supply Specialist at the Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Vietnam. On the 16th day of April 1974, Sergeant Keeler was Honorably Discharged from the United States Air Force, serving four years Active Duty and two years Reserved.
Dwayne, wife Donna and two daughters, Vicki and Diana made their home in Shenandoah, Iowa where he drove once again for a Trucking Company called Skalberg for several years, then later worked for Earl May Nursery. On May 16, 1982, their son Christon Dwayne was born, completing their family. There was a big lay-off at Earl May, so the family moved back to their hometown of Gravity. Dwayne then worked for the Egg Company in Lenox, Iowa where after 12 years he retired at the age of 65.
In 2012, he was diagnosed with COPD, in the fall of 2020, he was diagnosed with liver cancer.
On May 21st of this year, battling pneumonia for the 3rd time, with his wife and children by his side, he entered into that Rest, in the Arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll and Bertha Keeler; sisters, Louise and Norma Jean Braman, and two brothers, Dean and Bob Keeler.
Left with Wonderful and Precious Memories is his wife, Donna of 53 years; his daughter, Vicki and husband, Allan Jensing of Stanberry, Missouri, his daughter, Diana and husband, David Land of Gravity, Iowa; his son, Christon and wife, Shelby Keebler of Clarinda, Iowa; a sister, Elsie Marie of Shenandoah, Iowa; a brother, Darroll Keeler of Olathe, Kansas; 12 grandchildren: Leighana, Jessi, Randi, Natha, Vallan, Quinn, Natasha, Danie, Alex, Cecil, Axil and Kayleigh; 10 great-grandchildren: Charis, Bridget, Victoria, Sarah, Thomas, Kylen, Phoenyx, Elyia, Alysia and Thomas Anthony; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.