Merilyn Vere (Shafer) Keithley, 84, of Falls City was born on February 5, 1934 to John and Vere (Hoover) Shafer in Shubert. She attended McCandless grade school and Shubert public school. Merilyn graduated from Nemaha High School and attended Peru College for one year.
On June 21, 1952, Merilyn was united in marriage to Lowell Keithley at St. Anne’s Church in Shubert. To this union, six children were born: Ann, Jon, Frances, Jeffrey, Joseph, and Jerome. The couple lived on the family farm seven miles northwest of Falls City their entire married life. Merilyn was a homemaker and was active in the daily farming operation. She was a member of the Hilltop Homemakers Extension Club for forty years until it dissolved and participated in 4-H activities with her family. Merilyn was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Falls City and was a strong supporter of Sacred Heart Schools.
Merilyn passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in Falls City. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lowell, youngest son Jerome and sisters La Verne (Bob) Mayfield and Elaine (AJ) Holdorf.
Merilyn is survived by her children: Ann (Brad) Albu of Falls City, Jon (Kathy) Keithley of Falls City, Frances (Edward) Finn of Omaha, Jeffrey (Denise) Keithley of Verdon, Joseph (Tiffany) Keithley of Falls City, daughter-in-law Michelle Keithley of Falls City, twenty-seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, November 12, 2018, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Falls City with Fr. Thomas Dunavan officiating.
Visitation will be from 9:00 am-5:00 pm on Saturday, November 10 and 12:00 pm-5:00 pm on Sunday, November 11 at the Hall Funeral Home, 2403 Harlan St. in Falls City.
A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Sunday, November 11 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Falls City. Family will greet friends following the rosary on Sunday, November 11 at the church.
Interment will be at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery in Shubert, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Falls City Sacred Heart School in care of the funeral home.
Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net.
Services entrusted to Hall Funeral Home at 2403 Harlan St. in Falls City, Nebraska 68355 (402) 245-3131