Ivy Keeling

Ivy John "I.J." Keeling, son of the late Henry Ray and Easter John Keeling, was born in Centerville, Arkansas on August 17, 1931, and passed away at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on April 26, 2014, at the age of 82 years, 8 months and 9 days. He had lived in Arkansas but had spent most of his life in Southeast Missouri. He had worked in shipyard maintenance as a welder before his retirement. He was associated with Jehovah's Witnesses and was a veteran of the U. S. Army where he served during the Korean Conflict. On November 3, 1986, he was married to Grace Lee Maddox Burris in Blytheville, Arkansas. Surviving are his wife, Grace Lee Keeling of Dexter; two step-daughters, Pat Ellis and Jodi Wyatt both of Dexter, Missouri; four step-sons, Mike and Darrell Burris both of Dexter, Larry Burris of Bates City, Missouri, Eddie Burris of St. Louis; fourteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren; and one sister, Loretta VanHuss of Poplar Bluff. Other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by one great grandson, Andy Burris and one brother, Hollis Hayse Keeling. Visitations will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, after 12:30 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Memorial Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with Elder Jesse Lacy of Dexter officiating. Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.