MOUNT VERNON — David A. Keys, 70, of Mount Vernon died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009, as a result of an accident.
He was born Feb. 11, 1939, in Mount Vernon to Paul and Nellie (Gemienhardt) Keys. Dave retired from Tamarack Farms Dairy in Newark after 22 years of service. He enjoyed his retirement with farming, horse logging and horse pulling. He also enjoyed spending time with his loving family and spoiling his grandchildren. Dave was a member of the Central Ohio Draft Horse Association, Buckeye Horse Pullers Association, Mohican Saddle Club and the Southern Draft Horse Association.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lora (Jacobs) Keys; four daughters, Janet (Ned) Shafer, Tammy (Steve) Hall, Debbie (Bill) Cole and Kathy Keys, all of Mount Vernon; three grandchildren, Jason (Beth) Fawcett, Alan Troy and Samuel Cole; stepgrandson, Todd Cole; four great-grandchildren, Mikayla Little, Taylor Fawcett, Macie Fawcett and Logan Fawcett; one stepgreat-grandson, Tyler Smith; two sisters, Mary Lou Jones and Shirley Laymon-Harris, both of Mount Vernon; one brother, Jerry (Sue) Keys of Cardington; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his older brother, Paul Jay Keys.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Dilley-Lasater Funeral Home, 212 N. Main St., Mount Vernon.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to be made in Dave’s memory to one of the following: Utica Fire Department and EMS, 22 Spring St., Utica, OH 43080; Central Ohio Draft Horse Association, 26442 TR 38, Coshocton, OH 43812; the American Heart Association, 5455 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214; or the charity of one’s choice.
The Dilley-Lasater Funeral Home in Mount Vernon is handling the funeral arrangements for the Keys family. To share a memory or send a condolence please visit www.dilleylasater.com.
