J. Keith Paden

J. Keith Paden, age 78, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2016 following a courageous fight with cancer. Keith was born on August 28, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Ford Kerngood, his father, Jesse Keith Paden, and his grandparents, Florence and Howard Hubbard, who raised him through childhood. Keith was a devoted and loving husband for 32 years to Susan, his best friend. Also surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law: Tracy, of Reedsville, PA, married to Joe Hinish II; Brenda of Martinsburg, PA, married to John Dodson, and Sue, of Lebanon, Ohio, married to Dave Millard. Keith was blessed with a special grandson, Brian Keith Dodson and wife Melissa, of Dayton, Ohio. He also had three step-grandchildren: Carly Hinish, Kate Hinish, and Matt Millard; and one great grandchild, Adelyn Millard. Keith also leaves behind a sister, Louise Mathews, Baltimore, Maryland; a nephew, Randy Gresham, married to Caren; a brother-in-law, Ed Humphries, married to Betsy, Huntersville, North Carolina; and a sister-in-law Judy Reese, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Keith graduated from Roaring Spring High School in 1955. He completed a two year Papermaker Supervision course through the International Correspondence School, a two year Management Course and an Executive Production Management Course through Penn State University, and attended the Philip Crosby Quality College in Orlando, Florida. He valued education and remained a lifelong learner.

Keith began his career in papermaking in 1955 with an entry level position at D.M. Bare Paper Company in Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania. D. M. Bare later became Appleton Papers Inc. Keith advanced through the company and ended his career as senior papermaker with Appleton Papers Inc., West Carrollton, Ohio. Keith retired on December 31, 2002 after 47 years of service. During his career, Keith received numerous awards and recognitions including chairman of the international TAPPI Papermaker Committee, presenting numerous papers at national papermaker conferences, being selected as the first Golden Apple Award recipient, and receiving the AQP Team Excellence Award. Keith loved vacationing on the sand at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and boating at Lake Norris, Tennessee. In addition to papermaking, Keith loved woodworking and made beautiful furniture and keepsakes for his family and friends. During the last few years, he took great pride in teaching his grandson Brian much about his woodworking craftsmanship. He also enjoyed time with his dog Bailey, watching Penn State and Steeler football, and taking countless photographs. The family thanks Dr. A. Calvo and staff for their continual care of Keith as well as the staff at Hospice of Dayton. His daughters thank their stepmother Susan for her dedication and devotion to their father always, but especially during the past two years during his illness. Keith will forever be remembered for his endless generosity and love for his family. Friends may call from 2-4 PM Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home, 508 East Linden Avenue, Miamisburg, Ohio with a memorial service to follow at 4 PM.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, Ohio, 45420 or SICSA, 2600 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45419 in memory of Keith. Online condolences may be sent at www.gebhartschmidtparramore.com