JEROME KEITHLEY

It is with deep, and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Jerome Lynn Keithley, 52, who passed on March 22nd, surrounded by his family.

Jerome was born in Falls City on July 5, 1963 to Lowell and Merilyn Keithley, and lived there for his entire life, working side by side with his father, brothers and sons at the family’s farm. He graduated from Falls City Sacred Heart in 1981 and married Michelle Renae Allen in 1986 in Falls City, Nebraska. They were happily married for 29 years and raised a family of seven beautiful children that he was immensely proud of. 

He was a member of countless organizations from the Knights of Columbus to The Elks, and volunteered his time driving the school bus for Falls City Sacred Heart. Most proudly he was an active parishioner at St Anne’s Catholic Church in Shubert, Nebraska. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed yearly trips to the Lake of the Ozarks with his family where he would water ski and teach his children to ski. He enjoyed an occasional trip to Colorado to snow ski as well and most recently had been taking trips to the tropics with his wife and close friends.

Never will you meet a man who more faithfully lived his values. Jerome was a teacher of all things and his method was simple. He taught by example. Jerome never let another man down. He fulfilled every obligation he ever undertook. His word was his bond, and everyone knew it. He was self-made and self-reliant. From his education to his career, from his skill with every kind of tool that could fashion wood or metal, brick or cement, Jerome engaged with the world as a man who would be its master.

Jerome was loved for an infinite number of reasons. He was a magnificent man, a loyal, loving husband, a devoted father, a kind spirit and a true friend. Jerome provided such remarkable examples to remember him by and hold close to our hearts as we move forward without him.

Jerome is survived by his wife, Michelle; his seven children, Jordan, Brittany, Brandon, Rachael, Ryan, Nicholas and Zachary Keithley; his son-in-law Michael Hunter; his parents Lowell and Merilyn Keithley; his siblings Ann (Brad) Albu, Jon and (Kathy) Keithley, Frances and (Ed) Finn, Jeff and (Denise) Keithley, and Joe and (Tiffany) Keithley; many nieces and nephews and other loving relatives and friends.