Keith I Collier

Keith Ivan Collier, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away after an extended illness on Monday, October 19, 2026, surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a legacy of love, family, integrity, and an unmatched work ethic, qualities he passed along to each of his five children.

Keith was born May 13, 1932, in Lakeville, Indiana, to Otis and Fern Collier and was one of four children.

Keith graduated from Purdue University with a degree in engineering and later earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. He served as an officer in the United States Air Force before beginning a 32-year civilian career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Highly respected by his colleagues, Keith rose to senior leadership, served as chief scientist, and graduated from the National War College. He retired as a member of the Senior Executive Service before beginning a second career with McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri, where he served as an executive for ten years.

Keith married the love of his life, Jerone (Lipsett), on March 27, 1955, and they shared an amazing 70 years together. They had five children: Mark, Trent, Ned, Jay, and Megan, whom they raised in Kettering, Ohio. Keith and Jerone created a loving, welcoming home that was a constant hive of activity for their children and their friends.

The son of a Methodist pastor, Keith maintained his relationship with the Methodist church throughout his life through music and study. Keith and Jerone shared their wonderful gifts and passion for music as decades long members of their Church choir and even brought their music into the hospital to comfort the terminally ill. Keith also participated in a Walk to Emmaus and enjoyed bible study groups.

Their family shared countless adventures, from cross-country trips packed into the station wagon to water-skiing and camping trips. In retirement, Keith and Jerone opened a bed and breakfast in an 1851 woolen mill, which became another special place for the family to gather and make memories.

Keith was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jerone, his parents Otis and Fern, his siblings (Norma, John and George), and his great-grandson, Joshua Trent Massaro. He leaves behind his five children; his grandchildren, Kristen, Samantha, Jamie, Reid Rees, Sophie, Abby, Emma, Owen, and Eliza; and 12 great-grandchildren: Addison, Cameron, Nadalie, Penny, Jonah, Gabriel, Jack, Sam, Charli, Scarlett, Nora, and Ben.

Keith could be a serious man, but beneath that seriousness was a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor that shone brightest when he was surrounded by his family. He taught his children and grandchildren lasting lessons about hard work, faith, integrity, and the importance of family, not simply through his words but through the way he lived his life. His intelligence, humor, strength, and devotion to those he loved will be deeply missed and long remembered.

After 70 years together, Keith and Jerone can now dance the jitterbug together again in heaven.